Hemodynamic consequences of total removal of the tricuspid valve without prosthetic replacement.

Tricuspid valvulectomy without prosthetic replacement has been advocated as a life-saving measure in the treatment of Pseudomonas endocarditis of the tricuspid valve. This report describes the hemodynamic data obtained in 10 patients before and after removal of the tricuspid valve. Seven patients remained free of carciac decompensation, but right heart failure developed in three. Analysis of the preoperative data did not permit differentiation of these two groups of patients.