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Author: Daniel J Sexton, MD
Editors: Stephen B Calderwood, MD; Leah K Moynihan, RNC, MSN; Elinor L Baron, MD, DTMH
INTRODUCTION — Many people are told that they need to take an antibiotic before having a dental, surgical, or other invasive medical procedure. This topic discusses the benefit of taking a pre-procedure antibiotic, who should take antibiotics, as well as an explanation of when antibiotics are usually recommended.
Certain procedures, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, may allow bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream. These bacteria can infect the heart valves and lining of the heart, causing them to become inflamed. This inflammation is called infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis has the potential to cause catastrophic medical problems, including heart failure and leakage of the heart valves.
When taken before a procedure, antibiotics may prevent bacteria from being released into the bloodstream. This is known as antibiotic prophylaxis.
INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS — Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the lining of heart chambers or valves with bacteria, fungi, or other organisms that are released into the bloodstream. IE occurs most commonly in people who have abnormal heart valves or had previous heart surgery; less commonly, it can occur in otherwise healthy people who have do not have heart disease (see 'Guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis' below.
Infective endocarditis may develop following a sequence of events:
* Bacteria circulate in the bloodstream and become lodged in a blood clot on the lining or valves of the heart.
* The bacteria grow, forming an abnormal structure (called a vegetation) on the heart valves or lining.
IE can develop in a small percentage of people who undergo dental or other procedures. Antibiotics are commonly given to people who are at high risk of developing IE to reduce the likelihood of developing the infection. However, studies of antibiotics to prevent infective endocarditis have shown mixed results. Some studies show that antibiotics can help to prevent IE while others show no benefit.
Guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis — The American Heart Association has issued recommendations for who should receive antibiotics to prevent IE. These recommendations are based upon a review of studies peformed between 1950 and 2006, which included hundreds of thousands of patients. Analysis of these data showed that there was no benefit of using preventive antibiotics, except in the highest risk patients [1].
Highest risk — People with the following conditions are considered to be at the highest risk of developing infective endocarditis. Preventive antibiotics are generally recommended for people with the following conditions before certain procedures:
* A mechanical prosthetic heart valve
* Natural prosthetic heart valves obtained from animals or cadavers
* Valve repair with prosthetic material
* A prior history of infective endocarditis
* Most congenital (from birth) heart abnormalities such as single ventricle states, transposition of the great arteries, and tetralogy of Fallot, even if the abnormality has been repaired
The list of procedures that require pretreatment with antibiotics is available below. (See 'Antibiotic recommendations' below.)
Moderate risk — People with the following conditions are considered to be at moderate risk of developing infective endocarditis. Antibiotic prophylaxis is NOT generally recommended for people with moderate risk conditions. This is an important change from prior recommendations [1].
* Valve repair without prosthetic material
* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
* Mitral valve prolapse with valvular regurgitation and/or valvular thickening
* Most other congenital cardiac abnormalities not listed above
* Unrepaired ventricular septal defect, unrepaired patent ductus arteriosus
* Acquired valvular dysfunction (eg, mitral or aortic regurgitation or stenosis)
* Atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus that was successfully closed (either surgically or with a catheter based procedure) within the past six months
Low risk — People with the following conditions are thought to have a low risk of infective endocarditis. Antibiotics have never been recommended for people with these conditions:
* Physiologic, functional, or innocent heart murmurs
* Mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation or valvular leaflet thickening
* Mild tricuspid regurgitation
* Coronary artery disease (including previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery)
* Simple atrial septal defect
* Atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus that was successfully closed (either surgically or with a catheter based procedure) more than six months previously
* Previous rheumatic fever or Kawasaki disease without valvular dysfunction
* People with pacemakers or defibrillators
Dental care recommendations — Anyone who is at risk of developing infective endocarditis should follow a program of careful mouth and tooth care. This includes a professional cleaning every six months, twice daily tooth brushing, and once daily flossing. These measures can help to prevent plaque and bacteria from building up around the gums and teeth.
ANTIBIOTIC RECOMMENDATIONS — The following treatment suggestions come from the American Heart Association's guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis.
Dental, oral, or upper respiratory tract procedures — People who are at HIGHEST risk for IE (see 'Highest risk' above) should take one dose of an antibiotic by mouth (pills or liquid) one hour before certain dental, oral, or upper respiratory tract procedures; a second dose is not necessary (table 1).
* People allergic to penicillin — People who are allergic to penicillin can be treated one hour before the procedure with an alternate antibiotic (table 1).
* People unable to take oral medications — People who are unable to take oral medications can be treated with an antibiotic injection 30 minutes before the procedure (table 1).
Genitourinary or gastrointestinal procedures — The American Heart Association does not consider surgeries or procedures on the digestive or urinary system to have a high risk of causing infective endocarditis. This includes colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy, and many other procedures.
Antibiotics are no longer routinely recommended before these procedures, even in people with the highest risk heart conditions [1].
Pregnancy — Pregnant women who are at highest risk for IE (see 'Highest risk' above) should take an antibiotic before certain dental, oral, or upper respiratory tract procedures (table 1).
A pregnant woman who has a high risk of IE does NOT usually need antibiotic prophylaxis before a normal vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Antibiotics may be recommended before labor or cesarean section for other reasons, including prevention of complications related to group B streptococcus. (See "Patient information: Group B streptococcus and pregnancy".)
Children — Children with a moderate or high risk of developing infective endocarditis are usually given antibiotics before selected dental and surgical procedures (table 1).
No treatment — The guidelines provided above may not apply to every situation. There may be instances in which a person has a high or moderate risk of IE and antibiotics are not recommended. In such cases, it is important to understand the risks and benefits of taking versus not taking preventive antibiotics. You should discuss these issues with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
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