ENDOCARDITIS IN PARENTERAL DRUG-ABUSERS - RIGHT-SIDED ENDOCARDITIS - INFLUENCE OF HIV-INFECTION

Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening infective complication in parenteral drug abusers. The tricuspid valve is the structure most fr equently affected and Staphylococcus aureus the predominant microorgan ism. Fever, multiple pulmonary emboli and sustained bacteremia by S. a ureus are signs of clinical alert for right-sided endocarditis in thes e patients. Echocardiography has developed a significant improvement i n diagnosis and the transthoracic mode has a considerable reliability when high suspicion is established. Outcome is usually favourable with mortality less than 10%. Recent studies have made shorter treatments possible in selected patients and oral therapy is also considered. HIV infection, in advanced status, may indicate a worse survival rate.