Key result
Echocardiography identified similar findings in 2 patients with surgically confirmed Candida endocarditis of the aortic valve, suggesting its utility for early diagnosis in suspected cases.
Why the study?
Does echocardiography aid in the early diagnosis of aortic valve vegetations in patients with suspected Candida endocarditis?
Case Report (n=2)
Does echocardiography aid in the early diagnosis of aortic valve vegetations in patients with suspected Candida endocarditis?
Echocardiography can facilitate the early diagnosis of Candida endocarditis, especially in high-risk patients with negative blood cultures.
May support early detection in high-risk patients; leaves open prospective validation before practice change.
Similar echocardiographic findings in two patients with surgically confirmed Candida endocarditis of the aortic valve are described. It is suggested that echocardiography performed early in the clinical course of evaluation of drug abuse patients with suspected endocarditis, particularly in the presence of negative blood cultures and systemic emboli, may help establish the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been suggested by echocardiography, further steps for confirmation of the diagnosis of Candida endocarditis and therapeutic intervention may be undertaken with minimal time lag.
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Gottlieb et al. (1974) conducted a case report in Candida endocarditis of the aortic valve (n=2). Echocardiography was evaluated. Echocardiography identified similar findings in 2 patients with surgically confirmed Candida endocarditis of the aortic valve, suggesting its utility for early diagnosis in suspected cases.
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