Objective Assessment of the Role of Echocardiography (UCG) in the Diagnosis of Acute Endocarditis (AE)

Abstract

UCG was performed in 26 patients (Dts) with septicemia and suspected AE. 14 pts had positive UCG findings: a) premature closure of mitral valve(5) b) valve thickening and abnormal echoes (6), c) disruption of mitral valve apparatus (1), and d) cluster of echoes due to fungus (2). In 10 Dts the diagnosis of AE was confirmed at surgery, or autopsy. On 9 of the 10 (90%), the UCG was positive. The UCG was positive in 5 and negative in 11 other pts with septicemia and an uncomplicated clinical course. All 5 UCG positive pts were discharged with diagnosis of AE. Four UCG negative pts were discharged with diagnosis AE. In the one false negative UCG, the pathologic finding was a small gonococcal aortic valve lesion in the commisure. These studies indicate the usefulness and high accuracy of UCG studies in confirming AE.