Modelling the appropriate use of echocardiography in Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

Ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography) to detect infection of the heart valves is currently recommended as a core part of the management of patients with bloodstream infection due to the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Some of these patients appear to be at very low risk of heart valve infection and may not benefit from echocardiography, which carries some risk. The work presented in this thesis examines the current assumptions behind recommendations in favour of universal echocardiography in patients with bloodstream infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, and estimates the benefit of the test in various clinical situations.