Infective endocarditis: Beyond the usual tests

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), fl uorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography (FDGPET), 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.