Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Endocarditis

In March 2008 NICE reviewed the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing endocarditis in patients who are high-risk. They have advised against using antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of infective endocarditis

Locally, if a referring cardiologist/cardiac surgeon requires that a patient still receives antibiotic cover for a dental procedure it is their responsibility to prescribe the appropriate antibiotics usually in line with these recommendations.

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 or for prophylaxis, the person should receive an antibiotic that covers organisms that cause infective endocarditis see specialist guidelines below:

• Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery/Appendix

• Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery/Biliary

Page last edited: 19/12/2008

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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