mitral valve vs. left ventricular hypertrophy

[kwestcott]

23 years ago I was diagnosed with MVP.  Then 5 years ago I started having anxiety attacks and the doctor put me through a series of heart tests.  In conclusion, they determined that I did not "follow the criteria" of mitral valve prolapse but have LVH instead.   My question is, I have been taking premeds before surgeries and teeth cleaning for years and then they say I don't need to.  I don't feel comfortable with that, knowing how "criteria" changes.  Has anyone else dealt with this and how?  I choose to continue with the premed, but my doctor argues with me.

[uniqueldy]

The American Heart Association has published the new recommendations that will spare thousands of patients from loading up on antibiotics before a trip to the dentist. For decades certain patients have been taking antibiotics for protection before dental procedures but now the rules have changed.

Infective endocarditis is a rare but life threatening condition that was thought to be prevented by patients taking antibiotics before dental procedures. I never knew that there was no scientific evidence on which to base those recommendations, but there wasn't. Doctors were taught to prescribe five days of antibiotics to certain "at risk" patients and in 1997 it was changed to a single dose of antibiotics. Many doctors still gave several doses despite the lack of evidence.

The new guidelines are a huge change from current practice. The only people who are recommended to receive the SINGLE DOSE of antibiotic are:

Patients with prosthetic heart valves
People with prior infective endocarditis
People with unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease (rare, rare, rare)
People with completely repaired heart disease with a prosthesis or catheter insertion within the past 6 months
People with a repaired valve with residual defect on or near the repair
People who have heart transplant who have developed a valve abnormality
THAT'S IT! For people with heart murmers, mitral valve prolapse or other conditions that previously took antibiotics...you are off the hook.