抄録
We retrospectively studied of 20 patients who were admitted to the department of cardiovascular internal medicine of our hospital between January 2001 and March 2007 for a diagnosis of infective endocarditis. On blood cultures, oral bacteria were detected in 9 patients. Furthermore, 10 of the 20 patients visited our department. We examined the correlation of dental treatments and oral diseases with infective endocarditis in the 10 patients. The results of the blood cultures suggested correlations of dental treatments or oral diseases with infective endocarditis in 4 patients. Two patients had oral infections, while the other 2 had undergone dental treatment within 2 weeks before the onset of infective endocarditis. Currently, there are two different guidelines (AHA2007 and JCS2008) for the prevention of infective endocarditis. As stated in the JCS2008 guidelines, we believe that, it is necessary to carefully administer prophylactic antibacterial drugs to patients undergoing dental treatments. In addition, we also believe that it is necessary to improve oral hygiene conditions to prevent infective endocarditis associated with dental treatments or oral diseases.
