Endocarditis in intravenous drug abusers.

IE due to parenteral drug use is an ever-increasing problem for physicians working in the ED. IE may present with a multitude of signs and symptoms of variable severity. Patients may complain of only vague symptoms consistent with a viral syndrome, or they may present with a neurologic or cardiovascular catastrophe. ED physicians must have a high degree of suspicion for IE whenever they evaluate a patient who could possibly be abusing drugs.