Bacterial endocarditis of the tricuspid valve after insertion of a central venous catheter.

Central venous cannulation is a commonly used technique in the management of seriously ill patients. In experienced hands, the complication rate is low and primarily includes sepsis, thrombosis and local trauma. For chronic indwelling central venous catheters, thrombus formation within the right atrium has been described, particularly in premature infants, and a recent case has been reported in an adult. Valvular damage in the right heart is recognised and more often diagnosed at autopsy. This report describes the presence of tricuspid vegetations in a diabetic woman, related to the insertion of a central venous cannula.