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.
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