Echocardiographic diagnosis of subacute bacterial endocarditis.

The echocardiogram is able to diagnose on which valvular leaflet or cusp the bacterial vegetations are implanted; it is also able to recognize the type of lesion (destroying vegetations, prolapsing vegetations, etc.). In our experience the echocardiographi findings were fully confirmed at surgical intervention in 12 of the 13 patients studied.