Prevention of infective endocarditis: enthusiasm tempered by realism.
Infective endocarditis is a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality, and antibiotic prophylaxis may be appropriate in some circumstances. This article examines current British recommendations on prophylaxis, circumstances in which it may be beneficial and evidence for its efficacy.
Prasad
A
A
Department of Cardiology, University of Wales, College of Medicine, Cardiff.
Fraser
A G
AG
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015996:Survival Rate; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology