Hemoptysis in patients with septic pulmonary infarcts from tricuspid endocarditis

Three drug addicts with tricuspid valve endocarditis and pulmonary cavitation secondary to septic pulmonary infarcts developed massive hemoptysis. Two patients died of asphyxia and one survived. Both who died were improving clinically and had negative blood cultures when the fatal hemoptysis occurred. Therefore, however slight it may be, hemoptysis occurring in association with septic pulmonary infarcts associated with endocarditis may require prompt and aggressive measures.