The role of echocardiography in the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis

Abstract

Echocardiography is irreplaceable in the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis. If in easily examined patients transthoracic examination suffices, in all other cases transoesophageal echocardiography is essential.

It is important to emphasize the importance of searching carefully for complications, of assessment of the patient's risk and whether it is suitable to repeat the examination during treatment.

Keywords

• Echocardiography
• Echocardiography, Transesophageal
• Endocarditis, Bacterial, diagnostic imaging,
• Humans