Further Evidence Against Dental Care as Endocarditis Risk

Two parallel studies find no increase in endocarditis incidence after invasive dental procedures, even among high-risk patients.

Recent studies have failed to identify a clear benefit for patients to receive antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis prior to undergoing invasive dental procedures (IDTs; e.g., NEJM JW Infect Dis Aug 2012 and Circulation 2012; 126:60 and J Am Coll Cardiol 2012; 59:1968). Even so, prophylaxis is still recommended prior to IDTs for select high-risk populations.

To gain more insight into the association between IDTs and infective endocarditis, investigators in Taiwan used national health insurance data to perform two case-only analyses that included all patients with endocarditis in that country during a 10-year period. The researchers also evaluated the association between antibiotic prophylaxis and prevention of infective endo…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Further Evidence Against Dental Care as Endocarditis Risk

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Reviewing Author