Antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis.

摘要

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, infective endocarditis remains a dangerous disease, particularly for people at risk because of a prosthetic valve, congenital heart disease, or a history of infective endocarditis, in whom morbidity and mortality approach SO^o.1 Antibiotic prophylaxis for such patients at the time of invasive procedures has been a tenet of cardiac and dental practice for half a century, although the evidence of benefit is limited. Few cases of infective endocarditis are now secondary to oral streptococci, and Staphylococcus aureus (frequently acquired as a result of nosocomial infection or misuse of intravenous drugs) is now the most common pathogen, with attendant higher mortality.2