18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET in Infective Endocarditis and Device-Related Infections

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly in patients with prosthetic valves and cardiac devices, where echocardiography may be inconclusive. This review highlights the complementary role of advanced imaging, with a specific emphasis on 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography (CT). PET/CT has emerged as a critical adjunct, improving diagnostic sensitivity, particularly in prosthetic valve endocarditis and infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices. Beyond cardiac assessment, PET uniquely enables whole-body evaluation for extracardiac infection and septic emboli. Incorporation of PET findings into contemporary diagnostic algorithms enhances accuracy, facilitates early diagnosis, and supports treatment monitoring, thereby influencing clinical decision-making in complex IE cases.