Infective Endocarditis (IE): Tests
An infectious process involving the endocardial layer of the heart.
Part of: Infective Endocarditis (IE)
Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis (IE)
Your doctor will diagnose infective endocarditis (IE) based on your risk factors, your medical history and signs and symptoms, and test results.
Diagnosis of IE often is based on many factors, rather than a single positive test result, sign, or symptom.
Diagnostic Tests
Blood cultures are the most important blood tests used to diagnose IE. Blood is drawn several times over a 24-hour period. It’s put in special culture bottles that allow bacteria to grow.
Doctors then identify and test the bacteria to see which antibiotics will kill them. Sometimes the blood cultures don’t grow any bacteria, even if a person has IE. This is called culture-negative endocarditis, and it requires antibiotic treatment.
Other blood tests also are used to diagnose IE. For example, a complete blood count may be used to check the number of red and white blood cells in your blood. Blood tests also may be… Read more about Infective Endocarditis (IE): Tests