Respective Performance of ¹⁸ F-FDG PET and Radiolabeled Leukocyte Scintigraphy for the Diagnosis of Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis

Abstract

(18)F-FDG PET offers high sensitivity for the detection of active infection in patients with suspected PVE and inconclusive echocardiography results. Leukocyte scintigraphy offers a higher specificity, however, than (18)F-FDG PET for diagnosis of IE and should be considered in cases of inconclusive (18)F-FDG PET findings or in the first 2 mo after cardiac surgery.