Infective endocarditis (IE) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality
without appropriate treatment. Modified Duke Criteria are accepted by many
professional societies to establish the diagnosis of IE, and cardiac imaging is
one of the major diagnostic criteria. Transesophageal echocardiography is an
algorithmic escalation to diagnose IE when transthoracic echo does not
appreciate a positive finding. In patients with contraindications to
transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac
computed tomography (CT), cardiac CT angiography, and fluorodeoxyglucose
positron emission tomography with CT or CT angiography may be alternative
diagnostic tools. However, these imaging modalities have their own limitations
such as local unavailability, the presence of non–magnetic resonance imaging
compatible implants, or impaired renal function. Intracardiac echocardiography
could be a considerable alternative under those circumstances.