This article has been peer reviewed. To review guidelines for using antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis, and to present recent changes and controversies regarding these guidelines. Systematic reviews and guidelines are also examined. As no randomized clinical trials have examined prophylaxis for bacterial endocarditis, many recommendations presented are based on consensus guidelines. It should be given before procedures in which bacteremias are likely with organisms that cause endocarditis, such as viridans streptococci.
Infective endocarditis continues to have high rates of morbidity and mortality.
Antibiotic prophylaxis, therefore, is important to combat this preventable disease. This article has been peer reviewed. To review investigation and management of some common long-term complications associated with cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Recommendations in this paper are mainly based on the results of individual studies and case reports, as few randomized controlled trials have been performed. Where appropriate, recommendations incorporate results of published treatment guidelines and consensus conferences.