ABSTRACT
Diseases of the cardiovascular system are extremely common, and even laymen are familiar with their main symptoms, such as chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, and fainting. The elucidation of the cause of fever in patients with cardiovascular disease may be enigmatic. The principles outlined in the general approach to the febrile patient are applicable to patients who have, in addition, evidence of cardiovascular disease. Patients with certain types of cardiovascular disease are more prone to particular febrile complications. Three of the most common disorders causing unexplained fever in the cardiac patient were infective endocarditis, pulmonary thromboembolism, and rheumatic fever. The most definitive test for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis is the isolation of the causal agent on blood culture. The cause of myocarditis may be infectious or noninfectious. Thrombophlebitis migrans may be associated with a low-grade fever and segmental venous involvement especially of the lower extremities.
