Question

Question 11 0.5 points Saved Infective endocarditis resulting from IV drug use with contaminated needles would likely damage which valves of the heart? O aortic and pulmonary valves O pulmonary and bicuspid valves bicuspid and tricuspid valves O tricuspid and pulmonary valves

Answer 1

The correct answer is bicuspid and tricuspid valves.

In endocarditis, the endocardium on the valves get damaged due to the inflammation and other causes. This causes platelet and fibrin disposition in the damaged sites forming a thrombus. In the infective endocarditis, the bacterium that enters the blood stream may get attached to the already formed thrombi or to the surface of the valves. The bacteria then stick together with the help of some sticky substance, form a bio film over it and further damage the valves. For the bacteria to stick on, they require a low pressure area. It is available only on the bicuspid and tricuspid valves. The aortic and pulmonary valves have high pressures which are unfavourable for bacteria to settle and damage the valves.

So, the valves most likely to get damaged are bicuspid and tricuspid valves.

This is a brief explanation. Hope this helps you out. Please feel free to give your feedback and if you need further elaborate discussion. Thank you and have a great day.