[Tricuspid valve endocarditis with pulmonary embolism]

Abstract

We describe two patients suffering from bacterial endocarditis with tricuspid valve envolvement. Both had pulmonary embolism, revealed by scintigraphic lung perfusion examination. The diagnosis was made by transthoracic echocardiography in one patient and transoesophageal echocardiography in the other. Both received therapy with antibiotics and heparin given intravenously. In one patient the vegetation disappeared. We discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of the condition, with special focus on the possible role of heparin.