Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for the Detection of Abdominal Complications in Infective Endocarditis: First Experience From a Prospective Cohort.

Embolic events are associated with increased mortality in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). The goal of this study was to gain experience with the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in IE to detect abdominal complications. CEUS was performed in 40 patients from a prospective register of IE.

Diagnostic challenges in infective endocarditis: is PET/CT the solution?

Purpose: Despite developments in both imaging and microbiological techniques, the final diagnosis of IE often remains challenging. In this single-center cohort study, we aimed to identify the specific indications for request of F-FDG-PET/CT in clinical practice and to evaluate the diagnostic benefit of this nuclear imaging technique.

Methods: A total of 235 patients with possible (n = 43) or definite (n = 192) IE according to the revised Duke criteria were prospectively studied from July 2013 until December 2016.