Pulmonary valve neocuspidization and tricuspid valve replacement in intravenous drug abusers with infective endocarditis: Report of two cases

Right-sided infective endocarditis accounts for 5-10% of endocarditis cases. It occurs predominantly among intravenous drug abusers. The pulmonary valve is involved in fewer than 2% of patients with endocarditis. Literature data are limited and optimal medical strategy, including surgical technique, remains non-standardized in this clinical situation. We present 2 patients treated surgically for tricuspid and pulmonary valve endocarditis and discuss a method of pulmonary valve neocuspidization based on the Ozaki technique.