Prophylaxis against infective endocarditis
Based on NICE guideline [Prophylaxis against infective endocarditis: Clinical guideline [CG64] Published date: March 2008]
Cardiac conditions at increased risk of developing infective endocarditis:
acquired valvular heart disease with stenosis or regurgitation
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
previous infective endocarditis
structural congenital heart disease
EXCLUDING: isolated atrial septal defect, fully repaired ventricular septal defect or fully repaired patent ductus arteriosus, and closure devices that are judged to be endothelialisedvalve replacement
Antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis is NOT RECOMMENDED ROUTINELY for
dental procedures
non‑dental procedures involving gastrointestinal, genitourinary or respiratory tract
However, If a person at risk of infective endocarditis is receiving antimicrobial therapy because they are undergoing a gastrointestinal or genitourinary procedure at a site where there is a suspected infection, the person should receive an antibiotic that covers organisms that cause infective endocarditis.
Chlorhexidine mouthwash SHOULD NOT be offered as prophylaxis against infective endocarditis to people at risk of infective endocarditis undergoing dental procedures.