Advances in Molecular Imaging in Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a growing epidemiological challenge. Appropriate diagnosis remains difficult due to heterogenous etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. The disease may be followed by increased mortality and numerous diverse complications. Developing molecular imaging modalities may provide additional insights into ongoing infection and support an accurate diagnosis. We present the current evidence for the diagnostic performance and indications for utilization in current guidelines of the hybrid modalities: single photon emission tomography with technetium99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime-labeled autologous leukocytes (Tc-99m-HMPAO-SPECT/CT) along with positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG PET/CT). The role of molecular imaging in IE diagnostic work-up has been constantly growing due to technical improvements and the increasing evidence supporting its added diagnostic and prognostic value. The various underlying molecular processes of Tc-99m-HMPAO-SPECT/CT as well as F-18-FDG PET/CT translate to different imaging properties, which should be considered in clinical practice. Both techniques provide additional diagnostic value in the assessment of patients at risk of IE. Nuclear imaging should be considered in the IE diagnostic algorithm, not only for the insights gained into ongoing infection at a molecular level, but also for the determination of the optimal clinical therapeutic strategies.