A case of tricuspid valve endocarditis in a young drug addict is described which was treated surgically by valve replacement. Failure to stop intravenous drug abuse led to early destruction of the implanted bioprosthesis in a new onset of prosthetic valve endocarditis.
A comparison of the operative findings at the initial operation and reoperation underlines the difficulties in the treatment of infective endocarditis in intravenous drug addicts. Different treatment strategies are discussed.