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Contents
  • Two Types of Echo: TTE vs. TEE
  • What Echocardiography Can Reveal
  • When to Use TEE

Seeing Inside the Heart: How Echocardiography Detects Infective Endocarditis

Seeing Inside the Heart: How Echocardiography Detects Infective Endocarditis

Windows to the Heart

Echocardiography uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart, providing crucial information in diagnosing infective endocarditis (IE). This non-invasive test can reveal telltale signs of infection on heart valves.
Contents
  • Two Types of Echo: TTE vs. TEE
  • What Echocardiography Can Reveal
  • When to Use TEE

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.
Echocardiography is a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying infective endocarditis, utilizing sound waves to visualize the heart and detect infections on heart valves.

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.

FAQs

Is echocardiography painful?

TTE is painless; TEE may cause minor throat discomfort.

How long does an echocardiogram take?

TTE usually takes 30-60 minutes; TEE about 90 minutes.

Can echocardiography miss IE?

Yes, small vegetations or early infection may not be visible.

How often is TEE needed after TTE?

Studies suggest TEE is useful in 60-70% of suspected IE cases.

A Vital Diagnostic Tool

Echocardiography plays a crucial role in diagnosing IE and guiding treatment, often providing the first visual evidence of infection.
Curious about what echocardiography might show in your case? Consult with Doctronic to learn more about this important cardiac imaging test.
Additional References
  1. Habib G, et al. Eur J Echocardiogr 2010; 11:202.
  2. Bai AD, et al. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2017; 30:639.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.