A 35-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, new murmur and splinter haemorrhages. Infective endocarditis is suspecte...

Question

A 35-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, new murmur and splinter haemorrhages. Infective endocarditis is suspected. What is the most appropriate initial investigation before starting antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Three sets of blood cultures from different sites before antibiotics

Answer

Single blood culture then start antibiotics

Answer

Echocardiogram only

Answer

CT chest

Answer

Routine urine culture only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Infective endocarditis initial investigation

A 35-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, new murmur and splinter haemorrhages. Infective endocarditis is suspected. What is the most appropriate initial investigation before starting antibiotics?