Infective Endocarditis Related to IV Drug Abuse

Drug abuse in the United States continues to rise. In 2014, the U.S. had the highest rate of deaths due to drug overdose (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). There are several health conditions that are associated with drug abuse. Intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) is a common route used, which often works fast and causes an “immediate high”. IVDA often involves the injection of illegal drugs into an individuals veins. The needles are often shared or re-used, exposing individuals to infectious diseases. One common complication of IVDA is infective endocarditis (IE). IE can occur when bacteria enters the bloodstream and microorganisms travel to the heart and cause vegetation of the valves. IE is a serious medical condition, that often requires aggressive treatment and monitoring. Individuals with IE or those who abuse drugs should consider lifestyle changes to improve their health and overall quality of life