Contemporary applications of multimodality imaging in infective endocarditis

Abstract

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an increasingly important condition with significant morbidity and mortality. With advancements in cardiovascular interventions including prosthetic valve implantation and utilization of intracardiac devices, the prevalence of IE is rising in the modern era. Early detection and management of this condition are critical.

Areas covered: This review presents a contemporary review of the applications of multi-modality imaging in IE, taking a comparative approach of the various imaging modalities.

Expert opinion: Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are essential imaging modalities in establishing the diagnosis of IE, as well as evaluating for complications of IE. Other imaging modalities such as cardiac computed tomography and nuclear imaging play an important role as adjuvant imaging modalities for the evaluation of IE, particularly in prosthetic valve IE and cardiovascular implantable device associated IE. It is crucial to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and clinical application of each imaging modality, to improve the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of patients with IE.

Keywords: 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging; Infective endocarditis; cardiac computed tomography; echocardiography; multimodality imaging.