title: Changes in guidelines for prevention of infective endocarditis.
abstract: As there is no sufficient evidence to support the previous guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis against IE, the AHA has restricted the number of cardiac conditions for which prophylaxis is recommended to only those that carry a greater risk for adverse outcomes. By recommending prophylaxis for almost all procedures involving incision of oral and respiratory mucosa and excluding GI and GU tract procedures, AHA has attempted to obtain a greater uniformity and consistency of antibiotic prophylaxis for IE. Physicians should understand that a greater emphasis on educating their patients about oral hygiene will reap substantial benefits compared to antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, USA.
authors.forename: Sumith
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aleti
mesh_terms: D004696:Endocarditis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans