What is the risk of congestive heart failure for those with periannular extension of infection?
The greatest risk for congestive heart failure is in those with aortic valve endocarditis due to the extension of infection beyond the valve leaflets. Clinical signs and symptoms of this complication include persistent bacteremia or fever, recurrent emboli, heart block, worsening congestive heart failure, or new pathological murmurs in patients receiving appropriate medical treatment.