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. 2010 Summer;21(2):74-7.
doi: 10.1155/2010/760276.

Infective endocarditis: Updated guidelines

U Allen  1
Affiliations

Infective endocarditis: Updated guidelines

U Allen. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2010 Summer.

Abstract
in English, French

The most recent revision of the American Heart Association guidelines on infective endocarditis prophylaxis occurred in 2007. These revisions were based on the fact that current data have brought into question the benefit of previous recommendations for infective endocarditis prophylaxis. It was noted that the bacteremia that occurs following dental procedures represents only a fraction of the episodes of bacteremia that occur with activities of daily living (such as chewing, brushing teeth and other oral hygiene measures). The target groups and the procedures for which prophylaxis is reasonable have been significantly reduced in number. The focus is now on patients who are most likely to have adverse outcomes from infectious endocarditis. The present article is targeted at practicing Canadian physicians and provides the rationale for the current recommendations. In addition to a summary of the indications for prophylaxis, information is provided on the conditions for which prophylaxis is not recommended.

La plus récente révision des lignes directrices de l’American Heart Association sur la prophylaxie de l’endocardite infectieuse a été effectuée en 2007, parce que les donnees a jour remettaient en question les bienfaits des recommandations précédentes sur la prophylaxie de l’endocardite infectieuse. On y soulignait que la bacteriemie suscitee par des interventions dentaires ne represente qu’une fraction des episodes de bacteriemie suscites par les activites de la vie quotidienne (comme la mastication, le brossage des dents et d’autres mesures d’hygiène buccale). Le nombre de groupes cibles et d’interventions qui justifient une prophylaxie a considerablement diminué. On s’attarde maintenant aux patients les plus susceptibles de subir une réaction indésirable causée par une endocardite infectieuse. Le présent article s’adresse aux médecins canadiens en exercice et expose la raison d’etre des recommandations a jour. En plus de contenir un resume des indications de prophylaxie, il renferme de l’information sur les maladies pour lesquelles la prophylaxie n’est pas recommandee.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Congenital heart disease; Infective endocarditis; Prophylaxis.

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References

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