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Right-sided infective endocarditis — RCPSC EM MCQ

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HardInfectious disease emergenciesRight-sided infective endocarditisRCPSC EM

A 43-year-old man who injects drugs has fever, pleuritic chest pain, a new murmur, and multiple cavitating lung nodules on CT. Three sets of blood cultures are drawn and he remains haemodynamically stable. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: D — Right-sided infective endocarditis with septic pulmonary emboli

Injection drug use, fever, new murmur, and cavitating pulmonary nodules suggest right-sided infective endocarditis with septic pulmonary emboli. Blood cultures and IV antibiotics with admission are needed.

Reference: Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada endocarditis practice; Canadian cardiology guidance