Echocardiographic evaluation of infective endocarditis in children

To determine the incidence and prognostic importance of the echocardiographic abnormalities associated with infective endocarditis, we reviewed these findings in 45 episodes occurring in 41 children and young adults. Thirty-three patients had congenital cardiac abnormalities, and eight patients had no previously known heart disease. Echocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 16 of the 45 episodes of endocarditis (36%). M-mode echocardiography revealed abnormalities in seven of the 35 episodes (20%) in which it was performed, and two-dimensional echocardiography revealed abnormalities in 16 of the 28 episodes (59%) in which it was used. The presence of echocardiographic abnormalities was unrelated to the causative organism and to the need for early operation.