What echocardiographic features identify patients at high risk for a complicated course or with a need for surgery?
Several echocardiographic features can identify patients at high risk for a complicated course or with a need for surgery. These features include large (>10 mm in diameter) vegetations, severe valvular insufficiency, abscess cavities or pseudoaneurysms, valvular perforation or dehiscence, and evidence of decompensated heart failure.