The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Document on Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis in People Who Inject Drugs.
expert_opinion · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 42468870.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2026.06.065.
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Abstract
Tricuspid valve endocarditis in people who inject drugs represents a unique clinical and social challenge for cardiac surgeons. There is a relative paucity of research specific to this unique clinical scenario to guide evidence-based treatment. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Evidence Based Surgery assembled a writing group in 2024 to create an expert consensus document on the management of tricuspid endocarditis in people who inject drugs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, focusing on studies published in English over the past 15 years. The consensus was reached using a modified Delphi method, with each member voting on statements via a 5-point Likert scale to assess wording and strength. Expert consensus statements were generated addressing key topics including vegetation size, impact of infectious organism on surgical decision making, persistent bacteremia, prosthetic valve infections, surgical strategy, emerging technologies, and ethical considerations. Included expert consensus statements offers insight based on the literature a clinical experience about important topics when managing tricuspid valve endocarditis in patients who inject drugs.