MANAGEMENT OF PERSISTENT TRICUSPID ENDOCARDITIS WITH TRANSPLANTATION OF CRYOPRESERVED MITRAL HOMOGRAFTS

Transplantation of the human mitral valve in the tricuspid position fo r intractable infective endocarditis has been successfully performed i n three young patients who were addicted to drugs. The maximum follow- up is 20 months. The rationale and historical basis for using this app roach in the surgical treatment of patients with right-sided infective endocarditis is discussed and the appropriate literature reviewed. Be cause the technical aspects have been previously reported, this articl e can be considered an argument to renew past interest in atrioventric ular valve replacement with fully biologic tissue of human origin.