Coarctation of the Aorta

Bacterial Endocarditis

Bacterial endocarditis is a serious, but fortunately uncommon, bacterial infection of the heart lining or valve(s). People with certain heart conditions, including rheumatic heart disease, leaking or narrowed heart valve that causes a murmur, congenital heart disease, recently implanted cardiac device or an artificial heart valve may be more susceptible than usual to this heart infection.

Precautions

Some simple precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of developing bacterial endocarditis:

• Use good oral hygiene

  Routinely brush and floss teeth and gums, and get regular checkups.

• Take care of cuts or lesions

  Cuts or lesions should be cleaned thoroughly and watched for signs of infection. A physician should be contacted if a cut or lesion is not healing well or looks infected.

• Inform doctors and dentists

  It is a good idea to inform a doctor or dentist of any heart condition before any dental, surgical or special procedure.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are drugs that may offer protection from bacterial endocarditis by destroying or controlling bacteria. These drugs may be advised for patients at highest risk of developing severe bacterial endocarditis before and after certain medical procedures when bacteria could enter the bloodstream, travel to the heart and cause an infection. Antibiotics for highest risk patients may be prescribed before:

• Dental procedures and oral or respiratory tract surgery
• Other procedures when felt necessary by a physician or dentist

The possible benefit of prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics must be carefully balanced against the risk of allergic reactions and the possibility of increasing the likelihood of antibiotic resistance bacteria. The decision to use antibiotics should be carefully discussed with the patient's doctor or dentist.