Abstract
Tricuspid valve replacement for infective endocarditis (TVE) in
intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) may pose special clinical challenges,
since mechanical prostheses require lifelong anticoagulation therapy,
and bioprostheses degenerate over time, especially in young patients.
The Inspiris aortic bioprosthesis has been designed to reduce the rate
of structural valve deterioration (SVD) and to improve durability. We
describe three IVDAs with TVE undergoing tricuspid valve replacement
with an inverted Inspiris valve, and discuss the potential advantages of
this approach.