Management of infective endocarditis using echocardiography.
Serial echocardiograms of five children who had infective endocarditis were analyzed and correlated with the clinical course. Vegetations were visualized initially on M-mode in four and on two-dimensional echocardiograms in all patients. The appearance of the vegetation was unexpected in one. More accurate anatomic localization of the vegetation was possible using two-dimensional echography. Four of the five patients died despite vigorous medical treatment and valve replacement in two. Complete resolution of the vegetation was documented for the first time in a child following medical therapy. This study suggests that echocardiography plays an important role in the diagnosis of endocarditis, allows objective follow-up of the size of the vegetations and their effects on valve function, and, therefore, may prove helpful in the management of these patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D004452:Echocardiography; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis