Management of isolated native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis by a multidisciplinary program: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Isolated native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis remains a challenging disease to treat given the large number of patients with substance use disorder. There is limited data on the optimal treatment strategy and the impact of a multidisciplinary endocarditis program on outcomes for this population.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical outcomes associated with management of native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis by a multidisciplinary team.

DESIGN

Single-center, retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patient cases were identified from the registry of the institutional multidisciplinary endocarditis team. Patients with left-sided endocarditis, multivalvular endocarditis, prosthetic tricuspid valves and cardiac implantable electronic devices were excluded.

RESULTS

Between September 7th, 2021 and February 1st, 2024 72 consecutive patients with isolated native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis were identified. Sixty-six (91.7%) patients were managed medically. Five patients underwent percutaneous mechanical aspiration of tricuspid valve vegetations and one patient underwent tricuspid valve replacement during the index hospitalization. In-hospital mortality was 1.4% and 90-day mortality was 2.8%. Nineteen (26.4%) patients discharged before medically advised and 25% were re-admitted within 30 days. Ten (13.9%) patients underwent elective tricuspid valve replacements after outpatient follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Among 72 patients with isolated native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis managed by a multidisciplinary endocarditis program over a 2.5-year period, in-hospital, 90-day mortality and 1-year mortality were very low despite low rates of percutaneous mechanical aspiration and tricuspid valve surgery. Multidisciplinary follow-up can lead to elective tricuspid valve surgery in a delayed fashion.