Surgery for Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis in the Current Era

Abstract

Tricuspid valve endocarditis (TVE) continues to be on the rise and has been mostly attributed to the growing epidemic of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA). Other risk factors include long-term indwelling central venous catheters and implantable cardiac devices. While medical management continues to be the first line therapy, surgery is indicated when medical management fails, and in the presence of hemodynamic deterioration, recurrent septic pulmonary embolization and/or persistent sepsis. Tricuspid valve (TV) excision once was the main surgical strategy, but other options include TV repair/reconstruction and replacement. Remaining challenges include management of drug-induced endocarditis and the best strategy for recurrent infection.