How to Improve Diagnosis in Infective Endocarditis

Ph. D Student, Jane Byriel Knudsen, Aarhus University

The purpose is to exam prospective if simple clinical information in combination with a normal s-procalcitonin are sufficient for exclusion of infective endocarditis (IE).

Despite progress in surgical and medical treatment, infective endocarditis is still associated with high morbidity and mortality.

The variable clinical presentation of IE makes the diagnosis a clinical challenge.

Procalcitonin is a precursor from the hormone calcitonin and also a marker of systemic bacterial infections.

The purpose of this study is:

• to investigate the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and sedimentation rate (SR) when IE is suspected.
• to investigate if a retrospectively generated clinical model suitable for exclusion of IE can be confirmed prospectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients > or = 18 year with suspected or verified Infective Endocarditis
• By word of mouth or in writing consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Incapacity