Expanding the Team: Optimizing the Multidisciplinary Management of Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis

Abstract

Amidst a substance use epidemic, hospitalizations and valve surgeries related to drug use–associated infective endocarditis (DU-IE) rose substantially in the last decade. Rates of reoperation and mortality remain high, yet in many hospitals patients are not offered valve surgery or evidence-based addiction treatment. A multidisciplinary team approach can improve outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis; however, the breadth of expertise that should be incorporated into this team is inadequately conceptualized. It is our opinion that incorporating addiction medicine services into the team may improve outcomes in DU-IE. Here, we describe our experience incorporating addiction medicine services into the multidisciplinary management of DU-IE and share implications for other hospitals and health systems looking to improve care for people with DU-IE.