Positron emission tomography/computed tomography for the diagnosis of endocarditis in patients with pulmonic stented valve/pulmonic stent.

Percutaneous pulmonic valve and pulmonic stent implantation have become a well-established treatment for recurrent pulmonic stenosis or insufficiency in patients with repaired congenital heart disease. Late endocarditis is seldom reported, but its diagnosis might be challenging due to the limited visualization of the stented valve or stent by transesophageal echocardiography. We present 2 young patients who were hospitalized for suspected endocarditis and in whom the diagnosis was made with the aid of positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011;91:287-9) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons