The Intravenous Drug User with a Big Heart

Infective endocarditis is a severe and now more frequently encountered condition given the rise of intravenous (IV) drug use. An IV drug user presented with septic shock and bacterial endocarditis. Upon imaging, a fistulous tract was discovered, communicating from the annulus of the infected mitral valve to a large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PA). Presence of valvular vegetation, heart failure, and PA are all independent factors of increased mortality rates. The sheer size of the PA placed this patient at a very high surgical risk, and she was deemed inoperable. She was discharged when stabilized on supportive medical therapy. However, she returned six weeks later in cardiogenic shock with multi-organ failure. Repeat imaging revealed that the PA had significantly increased in size. Despite optimal medical management, the patient’s condition deteriorated, and she, unfortunately, succumbed to her illness.