infective endocarditis & its dental prophylaxis..
Definition Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis (SBE) is a bacterial infection that produces growths on the endocardium (the cells lining the inside of the heart). Subacute bacterial endocarditis usually (but not always) is caused by a viridans streptococci (a type of bacteria); it occurs on damaged valves, and, if untreated, can become fatal within six weeks to a year. Description Endocarditis has traditionally been classified as acute or subacute based upon the pathogenic organism and the clinical presentation. This distinction has become less clear, however, and the less specific term "infective endocarditis" is now more commonly used. Most patients who develop infective endocarditis have underlying cardiac disease, although this is frequently not the case with intravenous drug abusers and hospital-acquired infections. Important factors that determine the clinical presentation are: 1.the nature of the infecting organism 2.whether the infection is superimposed upon preexisting a