Introduction

In episode 65, we talked about the curious predilection of rheumatic heart disease for the mitral valve. Today, Tony asks, why is tricuspid valve endocarditis more common in persons who inject drugs? Avi Cooper: There are at least three steps required for infective endocarditis to occur. The portal of entry for most bacteria is the venous system. So like aggressive tooth brushing on the bone marrow transplant unit or injection drug use that we're talking about.