Professional paper

Importance of Chemoprophylaxis in Endocarditis of Odontogenic Origin

Tomislav Šušković ; Interna klinika KB »Sestre milosrdnice« Zagreb, Hrvatska
Dina Vukičević-Baudoin ; Interna klinika KB »Sestre milosrdnice« Zagreb, Hrvatska
Danijel Planinc ; Interna klinika KB »Sestre milosrdnice« Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Transitory bacteriemia is quite frequently seen in various dental procedures. Aging o f the population and an ever increasing number o f artificial valve carriers and o f immunocompromised subjects entail an increase in the number o f patients at risk for the development o f infectious endocarditis (IE) following dental procedures. Two patients in whom IE developed on previously damaged mitral valves after dental procedures, are described. Accurate diagnosis was made after 5 and 7 months o f unsuccessful treatment o f the ambiguous febrile condition. Data on the incidence o f IE worldwide, and changes witnessed in the epidemiology, clinical picture and microbiology o f IE, are presented. About 10% o f the total number o f IE are ascribed to dental procedures, and Croatian authors report on the percentage o f 18%. Both literature data and daily routine reveal a disagreement among the physicians concerning the value o f chemoprophylaxis. On the basis o f the patients presented and positive opinion found in literature, we are inclined to recommend chemoprophylaxis, because the number o f those affected by IE can thus be at least by half reduced. Accordingly, generally accepted instructions are given on the use o f antibiotics that achieve high serum levels and thus prevent bacteriemia induced by most common oral cavity pathogens.

Keywords

chemoprophylaxis; infectious endocarditis; odontogenic bacteriemia

Hrčak ID:

99409

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/99409

Publication date:

15.6.1994.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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