cardiovascular disorders
Noninfective Endocarditis
Diagnosis of Noninfective Endocarditis
Blood cultures Echocardiography Noninfective endocarditis should be suspected when chronically ill patients develop symptoms suggesting arterial embolism. Culture and Differentiation from culture-negative infective endocarditis may be difficult but is important. Anticoagulation is often needed in noninfective endocarditis but is avoided in infective endocarditis unless there is a pre-existing requirement such as a mechanical valve. Assays for hypercoagulability, antinuclear antibodies, and antiphospholipid syndrome should be done. Brain imaging is done to help guide treatment. 