Exams and Tests

If your doctor suspects you have endocarditis, he or she may order certain tests to confirm the diagnosis. Tests include:

• Blood tests, in particular a "blood culture" to check for the presence of bacteria in your bloodstream. The results, which can take a few days to receive, also provide information about what medicine should be used to treat the type of bacteria causing the infection.
• An ultrasound of the heart (transthoracic echocardiogram) to check for endocarditis. A probe is placed on your chest while you are lying down and images are taken. A physician looks closely at the heart valves to determine if they are infected. Infection of the valves may appear as a growth on the valve, which may not be working properly.

If the transthoracic echocardiogram fails to confirm an infection, you may have another type of heart ultrasound, called a transesophageal echocardiogram. For this procedure, you are given medications to help you relax. A probe is passed down the esophagus (food pipe). This provides clear images of the heart valves because the heart lies directly in front of the esophagus.