Valve disease in the right side of the heart (affecting the tricuspid or pulmonary valve) is most likely caused by infection. Intravenous drug use, alcoholism, indwelling catheters, and extensive burns predispose to infection of the valves, particularly the tricuspid valve. The resulting valve dysfunction produces abnormal pressure changes in the right atrium and right ventricle, and these can induce cardiac failure.
In the clinic