Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis in young women after gynaecological events. A report of 3 cases.

Three cases of Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis are reported; each was preceded by a gynaecological event. In 2 cases there was no overt pelvic sepsis and there had been no operative or instrumental intervention, but in the 3rd pelvic inflammatory disease was present, probably not as a result of interference. There are few reports in the recent literature of gynaecological events precipitating this condition; in contrast, intravenous narcotic abuse is well documented. In the literature there is insufficient stress laid on the fact that non-septic gynaecological events may cause the endocarditis. The difficulties in diagnosing tricuspid endocarditis, especially in a milieu where intravenous narcotic abuse is virtually unknown, are noted. When endocarditis is present in women known not to abuse narcotics, the absence of signs of pelvic inflammation may also cause difficulties in diagnosis.