One case of acute bacterial endocarditis of the tricuspid valve caused by S. aureus and following a septic abortion is presented. Surgical treatment was indicated after failure of antibiotics. Operation consisted of excision of a large vegetation adherent to the anterior and posterior cusps at the commisure and of the affected valvar tissue. Annular plicature at the segment corresponding to the posterior cuspid was employed to maintain competence. Clinical result was very satisfactory with resolution of sepsis. Dopplerecocardiography revealed the presence of the vegetation before the operation and showed a small regurgitation after valvoplasty. Conservative operation upon the atrioventricular valves must be kept in mind as an alternative in the treatment of acute bacterial endocarditis.
bacterial endocarditis; heart valves