Prophylaxis for Infective Endocarditis: An Update.

The American Heart Association has updated its recommendations for prevention of bacterial endocarditis. The major changes are less emphasis on administration of parenteral agents and a reduction of the period of prophylaxis. The simplified new recommendations should make compliance easier and should be assiduously implemented by dental and medical practitioners. However, several changes are suggested for possible consideration: Because of the relatively low risk, prophylaxis may not be needed for persons with mitral valve prolapse (unless there is a holosystolic murmur) or for most gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. Consideration should be given to using a single oral 3-g dose of amoxicillin for dental procedures in all patients at risk and for genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract procedures in patients at risk who have natural cardiac valves. Vancomycin should probably be the agent of choice for prophylaxis in cardiac valve surgery.