[Use of echocardiographic examination for infective endocarditis]

Echocardiography, both transthoracic and transesophageal techniques, is the procedure of choice in the diagnosis and management of patients with endocarditis. First of all, vegetative lesions can be detected. Echocardiography also plays a major role in recognition of such complications of endocarditis as: perivalvular abscesses, aneurysms, fistulas, rupture of valvular leaflets, chordae and papillary muscles or the interventricular septum. It provides useful information on valve destruction, severity of insufficiency, prosthetic valve dysfunction and, finally, it provides a chance for optimal medical and surgical therapy.