[Utility of CT Cardiac Angiography in the Evaluation of Infective Endocarditis and Its Complications]
Cristóbal Reyes1, Daniel Schneider2, Marcelo Godoy2
1Hospital Dr. Hernán Henríquez Aravena, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Abstract:
Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection that affects the heart valves, endocardium, and great vessels. It has a mortality rate of approximately 30% per year, so early diagnosis is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Cardiac angio-CT triggered by electrocardiogram (ECG) has been considered in IE management guidelines in recent years, given its high spatial resolution, contributing to the diagnosis and evaluation of valvular complications (vegetations, perforations, dysfunctions), perivalvular (abscesses, pseudoaneurysms, prosthesis dehiscence, fistulas) and compromised coronary arteries (embolism), allowing early diagnosis and treatment.
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