• Centers and Departments
• Back to Diseases and Conditions
• Valve Disease
• Aortic Insufficiency
• Aortic Stenosis
• Aortic Valve Endocarditis
• Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
• Mitral Valve Endocarditis
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Risk Factors
  • Causes
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Physicians and Services
• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Mitral Valve Regurgitation
• Mitral Valve Stenosis

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mitral valve endocarditis is based on whether you have symptoms, as well as the results of a physical exam and diagnostic tests.

Blood Cultures

Typically, blood cultures will show bacteria or microorganisms often found with endocarditis, especially staphylococcus or streptococcus. These cultures allow a laboratory to isolate the particular bacteria that may be causing the infection.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Your physician will also order an electrocardiogram or ECG that:

• Shows the condition of your heart valve as well as growths or abscesses.
  
• Charts the electrical activity of your heart and can show abnormal heartbeats, heart muscle damage and enlargement of the heart.
  
• Uses sticky patches with electrodes attached to your skin to track the electrical pulses given off by your heart.
  
• Translates the heart's electrical activity into line tracings on paper.
  
• Gives information about heart rhythm and size.