Tricuspid valve endocarditis.
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.
Chan
P
P
Philadelphia Heart Institute, Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center 19104.
Ogilby
J D
JD
Segal
B
B
D000328:Adult; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery