New scan may spot hidden heart infections

NCT ID NCT03695861

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: University Hospital, Bordeaux Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a special PET-CT scan using a radioactive tracer (18F-FDG) can improve diagnosis of infectious endocarditis on natural heart valves. Researchers scanned 31 adults with suspected endocarditis within 5 days of starting care. The goal was to see how well the scan detects the infection and any spread to other parts of the body, compared to standard criteria.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: 18F-FDG (a radioactive tracer used in PET-CT scans)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could make it easier and faster to diagnose heart valve infections on natural valves, helping doctors start the right treatment sooner.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study (31 people) looking at diagnostic accuracy, not a treatment trial. The scan may not always catch the infection, and results need confirmation in larger studies.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

endocarditis infective endocarditis subacute bacterial endocarditis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ENDOCARDITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

University hospital, Bordeaux

Pessac, 33604, France

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