NYMC Faculty Publications
Infective Endocarditis and Intravenous Drug Users: Never Was and Never Will Be Taken Lightly
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.7759/cureus.12812
Journal Title
Cureus
First Page
12812
Last Page
12812
Document Type
Case Report
Publication Date
1-20-2021
Department
Medicine
Abstract
Infective endocarditis (IE) is the infection of the endocardial surface (innermost layer - valves, chordae tendineae, and papillary muscles) of the heart. It usually refers to infection of one or more of the heart valves which may be native or prosthetic. The definition also includes infection on indwelling cardiac devices. Over time, the etiology, as well as causes of IE, have evolved and doubled in numbers because of a greater number of patients with indwelling cardiac devices and central lines. Some characteristic features have remained the same, including intravenous drug users (IVDU) and right-sided IE, fever, or peripheral signs of IE. However, there are instances where the clinical presentation is unique. Here we describe an unusual case of an IVDU patient developing acute decompensated heart failure following acute aortic regurgitation (AR) from IE without fever and right-sided heart or tricuspid valve involvement.
Recommended Citation
Kansara, T., Majmundar, M. M., Lenik, J., Vista, M., & Chaudhari, S. (2021). Infective Endocarditis and Intravenous Drug Users: Never Was and Never Will Be Taken Lightly. Cureus, 13 (1), 12812-12812. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.12812
