2021 American Heart Association Guidelines for the Prevention of Infective Endocarditis

Dr. PJ MURPHY, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC

In this episode of CDA Oasis Live, Dr. John O’Keefe invites Dr. PJ Murphy, Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC, to discuss the 2021 American Heart Association guidelines for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis and explain how they impact the practice of dentists across North America.

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

• The research consistently shows that, although infective endocarditis is a risk that needs to be managed, patients are more likely to get it from regular day-to-day activities than from going to the dental office.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis for invasive dental procedures is warranted for the following high-risk groups:
  • • Patients with artificial heart valves
    • Patients with repaired artificial heart valves
    • Patients with normal heart valves that have been repaired
    • Patients with a history of infective endocarditis
    • Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (*new addition to list)
    • Patients with congenital heart disease that is unrepaired or not fully repaired (*this now includes those with pulmonary valve repairs and pulmonary artery repairs)
    • Patients who have had a full heart transplant and have developed valvular issues
• Prescription and dosage updates
  • • Clindamycin has been removed from the list of recommended antibiotics
    • Doxycycline has been added to the list of recommended antibiotics

FURTHER RESOURCES

Prevention of Viridans Group Streptococcal Infective Endocarditis: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association

We hope you find the conversation useful. We welcome your thoughts, questions and/or suggestions about this post and other topics. Leave a comment in the box below or send us your feedback by email.

Until next time!
CDA Oasis Team