Endocarditis

Abstract

Cardiac imaging is the cornerstone in the diagnosis of endocarditis. It plays a key role in the confirmation of the diagnosis, location, and extension of the disease, as well as on the evaluation of associated lesions that directly impact treatment options. Echocardiography, both transthoracic and transoesophageal, are the main tools in the diagnostic process. However, alternative imaging techniques have emerged to compensate some of their pitfalls. In this chapter, we review the potential findings as well as the advantages and limitations of each technique. A correct understanding of the information they can provide is essential both for the clinical cardiologist and the specialist in cardiac imaging.