What is the general approach to treating patients with right-sided IE who develop infection as a result of IDU?
The general approach to treating patients with right-sided IE who develop infection as a result of IDU is to medically treat them and to avoid placement of valve prostheses due to the subsequent risk of device infection with continued IDU. Surgical intervention may be reasonable for patients with complications such as right heart failure secondary to severe tricuspid regurgitation, sustained infection caused by difficult-to-treat organisms, tricuspid valve vegetations that are 20 mm in diameter, and recurrent pulmonary embolism despite antimicrobial therapy.