Infective endocarditis has an estimated incidence of 1.5 – 3.3 cases per 1000 IV drug users per year. The risk appears to be augmented when the injected substance is which drug of abuse? Why?
It is believed that cocaine carries a higher risk for endocarditis owing to the vasoconstrictive effects of the drug or the increased frequency of injection (NEJM, Vol. 353, pg. 1945)
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