Current profile of infective endocarditis in intravenous drug users: The prognostic relevance of the valves involved

Abstract

Intravenous drug use is a well-known predisposing condition for infectious diseases [1], such as infective endocarditis (IE). In fact, this condition represents a minor diagnostic criterion for IE. Although incidence of IE in intravenous drug users (IDUs) has decreased during the last decades [2], it is still responsible for 5% to 10% of deaths in IDUs [3]. Even though IDUs have been classically related to right-sided IE (RSIE), left-sided IE (LSIE) has been reported with similar frequency [4]. Nonetheless, the profile and outcome of LSIE in IDUs are not well known and the few reported data about this topic are outdated.