Prophylaxis against infective endocarditis (Clinical guidelines CG64)

The advice in this NICE guideline covers: Patients who are at risk of infective endocarditis, specifically: adults and children with certain problems affecting the structure of the heart (such as a replacement heart valve or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) adults and children who have previously had infective endocarditis (whether or not they have an underlying cardiac problem) people having any of these procedures: - any dental procedure - any obstetric or gynaecological procedure, or childbirth - any procedure on the bladder or urine system - any procedure on the gullet, stomach or intestines - any procedure on the airways, including ear, nose and throat procedures and bronchoscopy (a test used to diagnose some lung problems). It does not specifically look at: people at risk of infective endocarditis who do not have heart problems (such as intravenous drug users) people having procedures that aren't in the list above Expected review date: March 2011