Should MRI of the brain be obtained in all IE patients?
The current paradigm includes dedicated, anatomic imaging if there are signs or symptoms suggestive of an embolic event. There is less agreement on imaging, which can pose risks because contrast material is usually required, in patients without symptoms or signs of emboli, some of whom may have silent or subclinical events. In particular, MRI of the brain should not be obtained in all IE patients because it may pose risks and is not always necessary.