INDICES> Bacterial Endocarditits Prophylactic Regimens (4)

[Joel Lexchin <joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca>]

INDICES> Bacterial Endocarditits Prophylactic Regimens (4)
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Gentamicin is used in combination with I.V. ampicillin for genitourinary
and gastrointestinal procedures in patients who are at high risk for
developing bacterial endocarditis.  High-risk patients are those with
prosthetic cardiac valves, previous bacterial endocarditis, complex
cyanotic congenital heart disease, surgically constructed systemic
pulmonary shunts or conduits. Moderate-risk patients are those with most
other congenital cardiac malformations, acquired valvular dysfunction,
hypertrophic  cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse with valvular
regurgitation and/or thickened leaflets.  

By the way, I trust that Indices members recognize that there have never been any randomized
controlled trials done that show that antibiotic prophylaxis makes any
difference.  That doesn?t mean that we shouldn?t use them, but there is
a certain element of faith involved.

--
Joel Lexchin MD
Townhouse #2--40 Cedar Crescent
Glenside, S.A. 5065
Australia
Tel:  +61 8 8338 0151
e mail:  joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca

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