Tricuspid valve replacement using a mitral homograft. Surgical technique and initial results.

Tricuspid valve replacement using a cryopreserved mitral valve homograft was carried out with success in three HIV positive drug addicts suffering from fungal or bacterial endocarditis. All three patients are alive and symptomless up to 16 months after surgery. This procedure is considered to be an alternative to other methods of tricuspid valve replacement if repair is not feasible. Further experience is needed to assess the long term performances of mitral homografts in the tricuspid position.