Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a formidable clinical challenge. It affects 3–10 people
per 100,000 annually, with a 30-day mortality rate of up to 30%. The incidence of IE
has risen due to advancements in cardiac care, including the increased use of intra-cardiac
electronic devices (CIEDs) and interventions for structural heart disease. The International
Cardiology Societies underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for timely
diagnosis and treatment decisions. Effective IE management requires a delicate balance
between eradicating the infection and addressing the patient’s unique circumstances. This
often necessitates complex decisions to reconcile these competing priorities.
This article presents four cases of IE, and we discuss the pivotal role of integrated
imaging modalities and specialised expertise in diagnosis and management (“thinking
outside the box strategy”), emphasising the value and the role of the Extended Endocarditis
Multidisciplinary Team (EEMT).
Read the full article here.
And see below for associated media: