echocardiography in infective endocarditis
Last reviewed 01/2018
- demonstration of vegetations greater than or equal to 3mm in size in up to 70% of cases via cross-sectional echocardiography.
- negative study does not exclude infective endocarditis.
- transthoracic imaging is limited in the diagnosis of infection of a prosthetic valve.
- if doubt about diagnosis then transoesophageal echocardiography is indicated. This demonstrates vegetations in more than 80% of patients with a confirmed diagnosis. This technique also is the best for showing complications such as abscesses, fistulas and mycotic aneurysms.