Murmurs, Infective Endocarditis and Dentistry

From Volume 28, Issue 2, March 2001 | Pages 76-82

Authors

M.V. Martin

BDS, BA, PhD, FRCPath, FFGDP RCS (UK)

Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Oral Microbiology, Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool

Articles by M.V. Martin

M.A. Gosney

MD, FRCP

Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, Department of Geriatric Medicine

Articles by M.A. Gosney

L.P. Longman

PhD, BDS, BSc, FDS

Consultant/Honorary Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry, University of Liverpool

Articles by L.P. Longman

K.H. Figures

MDS, FDS RCS

Head of the Transitional Training Unit, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield

Articles by K.H. Figures

Abstract

Patients with cardiac murmurs may have a predisposition to infective endocarditis, and the dental practitioner must be aware of this potential problem. This article reviews cardiac murmurs and how they are investigated by physicians to assess their significance. Practical advice is offered concerning the need to refer patients with a suspected heart murmur. The emergency and elective dental management of patients with heart murmurs is included, together with recommended regimens for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Article

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