The Role of Cardiac CT in the Evaluation of Endocarditis

Abstract Endocarditis is an increasingly common yet complex disorder characterized by multiorgan system involvement, significant morbidity, and even mortality. In recent years, cardiac computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a leading imaging modality in the assessment of this disease. With ever more rapid and low-dose acquisitions, modern cardiac CT allows for confident diagnosis despite often protean and insidious clinical manifestations. At the same time, CT accurately depicts the many cardiac manifestations and complications of endocarditis while providing a comprehensive roadmap for preprocedural planning. The indications for cardiac CT in the setting of endocarditis, such as noninvasive coronary assessment prior to surgery, only continue to expand. The purpose of this article is to review the numerous uses of cardiac CT in endocarditis, including the latest clinical applications and technological innovations.
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - Category: Radiology Source Type: research