Tricuspid valve endocarditis.
Chan P, Ogilby JD, Segal B.
Philadelphia Heart Institute, Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center 19104.
TVE is mainly a disease of intravenous drug abusers. Although the infecting organisms are often highly virulent, they frequently respond to medical treatment. The prognosis for patients with TVE is fairly good. About 25% of TVE patients require surgical intervention. Persistent sepsis and intractable congestive heart failure are indications for surgery. Tricuspid valvulectomy without prosthetic replacement is the surgical intervention of choice. Right-sided heart failure is the principal complication after valvulectomy without a prosthesis. A significant percentage of patients require insertion of prosthetic valves at a future date.
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PMID: 2653011 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]