Seeing Inside the Heart: How Echocardiography Detects Infective Endocarditis

Two Types of Echo: TTE vs. TEE

There are two main types of echocardiography used for IE diagnosis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is done from outside the chest and is usually the first test. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) uses a probe passed down the throat for clearer images. TEE is more sensitive and better at detecting complications of IE.

What Echocardiography Can Reveal

Echocardiography can show vegetations (clumps of bacteria and cells) on heart valves, a hallmark of IE. It can also detect valve damage, abscesses near the heart, and abnormal blood flow. These findings help confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment decisions, including whether surgery might be needed.

When to Use TEE

TEE is often recommended if TTE results are unclear or negative but IE is still strongly suspected. It's also used to look for complications in known IE cases. While slightly more invasive, TEE provides much clearer images of the heart valves and surrounding structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Echocardiography plays a crucial role in diagnosing IE and guiding treatment, often providing the first visual evidence of infection.

Related Articles

• Is That Heart Murmur Dangerous? Key Signs of Infective Endocarditis
• Blood Cultures: The Key to Unlocking Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis
• Are You at Risk for Infective Endocarditis? Key Factors to Know
• Cracking the Code: The Duke Criteria for Diagnosing Infective Endocarditis

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