The surgical treatment of endocarditis in the tricuspid valve is controversial. Arbulu et al. indicate simple exeresis of the tricuspid valve, so that one can opt for the implantation of a prosthesis in a second procedure. Other authors, such as Frater, indicate change of the valve during the same procedure; Evora et al. suggest vegectomy with valvuloplasty. The purpose of this report is to show the follow-up of three patients subjected to surgery from September 1990 to April 1998. Endocarditis was isolated from the tricuspid valve using the technique of valve change. No patient was using IV drugs nor underwent surgery in sepsis. One patient died of septic shock due to his severe condition and the other ones are progressing in class I and II of NYHA.
Endocarditis; Heart valve diseases; Tricuspid valve
