Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement for tricuspid valve endocarditis secondary to infected endocardial pacemaker leads

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to present outcomes of bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in patients with tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE). MethodsFrom October 2001 to December 2015, 26 patients underwent a bioprosthetic TVR due to severe TVIE after endocardial pacemaker implantation. ResultsStaphylococcus species and Streptococcus species were the predominant microorganisms. Early 30-day hospital mortality was 0 (0%). There were three late deaths (11.5%), none cardiac related. At nine years, freedom from cardiac death was 100%. Mean follow-up was 5.74.1 years (range, 1.3-14.2 years). There were two cases (7.7%) of cardiac redo operations related to recurrent infection. At nine years, freedom from valve-related redo operation was 92.3%. There was no thrombosis-embolism, bleeding, or other valve-related events. No peri-valve leak or vegetation was seen on the last echocardiographic examination. ConclusionsBioprosthetic TVR can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality in severe tricuspid endocarditis due to infected endocardial pacemaker leads.