Partial mitral homograft for tricuspid valve repair.

We report a case of partial replacement of the tricuspid valve by a mitral homograft in a young drug addict with right heart endocarditis. Operation was indicated because of sudden severe tricuspid regurgitation and persistence of vegetations despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Partial tricuspid valve replacement was performed with a segment of mitral homograft reinforced by a semirigid prosthetic ring. At 30-month postoperative follow-up the patient was in excellent clinical condition with a satisfactory echocardiographic result.