Endocarditis laboratory studies


 * Associate Editors-in-Chief:

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate is present.

Leukocytosis
A marked leukocytosis is present.

Rheumatoid Factor
A positive serum rheumatoid factor may be present and is present in approximately 50% of patients with subacute disease. It becomes negative after successful treatment.

Renal Function
The serum BUN and Cr may be elevated if glomerulonephritis is present.

Urinalysis
Glomerulonephritis may be present.

Electrocardiogram
There is no specific EKG changes that are diagnostic of Infective Endocarditis. The EKG may be useful in the detection of the 10% of patients who develop a conduction delay during Infective Endocarditis by documenting an increased PR interval. If myocardial infarction is present, it may be due to vessel occlusion with ST elevation myocardial infarction or it may be due to distal embolism which may result in non ST elevation MI.

Chest X Ray
There are no specific chest x-ray findings specific for the diagnosis of endocarditis. Non specific findings would include findings of congestive heart failure.

MRI and CT
A CT scan of the head should be obtained in patients who exhibit CNS symptoms or findings consistent with a mass effect (eg, macroabscess of the brain).

Echocardiography
Echocardiography in endocarditis is discussed in its own dedicated chapter.