Infective endocarditis: Beyond the usual tests.

Mgbojikwe, Nkemdilim; Jones, Steven R; Leucker, Thorsten M; Brotman, Daniel J · Cleve Clin J Med · 2019

Level V

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Abstract

Infective endocarditis remains a diagnostic challenge. Although echocardiography is still the mainstay imaging test, it misses up to 30% of cases. Newer imaging tests--4-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT), fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and leukocyte scintigraphy--are increasingly used as alternative or adjunct tests for select patients. They improve the sensitivity of clinical diagnosis of infective endocarditis when appropriately used, especially in the setting of a prosthetic valve.

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