Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: Endocarditis: Any way to avoid? Topic Area: StenosisPosted by Michael L. on April 24, 1999 at 10:09:22I am due for valve replacement surgery in about a month at the Cleveland Clinic, and I am going to go with a homograft, because I am very active and do not wish to take coumadin. My age is making my decision difficult, because I am only 31 and it is almost guarenteed tht I will need another surgery someday, but I feel as if the homograft is the right choice. I was wondering if there is any way to help prevent endocarditis? I know that you must take anti-biotics before dental visits and invasive procedures, but what about your diet and/or lifestyle? I was curious to know if there were any specific steps to help prevet this from happening and causing the life-span of your replacement valve to be reduced?
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on April 24, 1999 at 19:24:40
You are right about the antibiotics before many dental and invasive procedures. However, there is nothing else you can really do to prevent an infection. I am assuming you have already had a thorough dental evaluation. Obviously, habits like injection of illicit drugs would be a bad idea, especially in someone with an artificial valve. In the future, if you develop any unexplained fevers, you should notify your doctor immediately, so that if it is endocarditis, testing and treatment can begin sooner rather than later. I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck. Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
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