Author/Authors :
Rali, Aniket S. Department of Cardiovascular Diseases - University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA , Al-Kofahi, Mejalli Department of Internal Medicine - University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA , Patel, Nilay Department of Cardiovascular Diseases - University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA , Wiele, Benjamin Department of Cardiovascular Diseases - University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA , Shah, Zubair Department of Cardiovascular Diseases - University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA , Nath, Jayant Department of Cardiovascular Diseases - University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
Abstract :
Over the past five decades, the incidence of intravenous drug use- (IVDU-) associated infective endocarditis (IE) has been on the
rise in North America. Classically, IVDU has been thought to affect right-sided valves. However, in recent times a more variable
presentation of IVDU-associated IE has been reported. Here, we report a case of a patient with a known history of IVDU who
presented with clinical symptoms concerning for right- as well as left-sided endocarditis. In addition, we also discuss what
should be considered adequate evaluation for patients with suspected endocarditis, and more specifically, what should be the
role of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with IE noted on transthoracic echocardiography.
