Tricuspid valve endocarditis in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare complication in pregnancy that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. We present a case of a 27-year-old female at 22-weeks gestation with a history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) who developed methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis with persistent bacteremia and septic emboli necessitating tricuspid valve extirpation. Four days later, worsening decompensated heart failure required cesarean section at 23w5d. Although the patient’s volume status and dyspnea improved significantly, fetal demise occurred 9 days after operative delivery.

Keywords

• infective endocarditis
• tricuspid valve
• second trimester pregnancy
• echocardiography