Clinical Status of the Late Stage after Valvulectomy without Prosthetic Replacement / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We have experienced 3 cases of valvulectomy without prosthetic replacement. All patients had active infective endocarditis. Clinical states of the patient who received pulmonary valvulectomy and of the other who received partial tricuspid valvulectomy are stable in the late phase. They have no cardiomegaly. The patient who received total tricuspid valvulectomy has progressive cardiomegaly. It seems that the volume overload due to the regurgetant flow in the tricuspid position causes the dilatation of the right heart. Tricuspid valvuloplasty with remained tissue or with pericardial patch may be more recommendable.