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Native valve infective endocarditis — RACP Written MCQ

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HardCardiologyNative valve infective endocarditisRACP Written

A 42-year-old woman from rural Queensland has fever, weight loss and a new pansystolic murmur 3 weeks after dental extraction. Three blood culture sets grow viridans streptococci. Echocardiography shows a 12 mm mitral vegetation with moderate regurgitation but no heart failure. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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Correct answer: B — Transoesophageal echocardiography

Transoesophageal echocardiography better defines vegetation size, complications and surgical risk in definite infective endocarditis, especially with a sizeable left-sided lesion.

Reference: National Heart Foundation of Australia; Therapeutic Guidelines: Cardiovascular