Risk Factors for Infective Endocarditis

Background and Some complications such as infective endocarditis may develop following dental procedures. Preventing infective endocarditis is possible by identifying and eliminating the underlying risk factors. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors for infective endocarditis. In a cross sectional study we investigated 60 patients with infective endocarditis attending Rajaie Heart Center and Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran. All parameters were recorded including the type of endocarditis, history of cardiac diseases, cardiac surgery, infective endocarditis, intravenous drug abuse, any kind of systemic disease, and microorganisms in blood cultures. Other information including oral health behavior, history of dental procedures and DMFT index were also recorded. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean age of patients was 16.8±42.9 years and 70% had heart diseases. Other factors including cardiac surgery, intravenous drug abuse, history of endocarditis, and other surgical procedures were also observed. Systemic diseases were found in 50%. In 36.7% no risk factor was found for increased risk of endocarditis. Dental treatments were reported in 73.3% of the patients. The mean DMFT score was 36.6 ± 4.12. In the past 6 months 16.7% had dental procedures that required antibiotic prophylaxis. The low age of patients, high number of patients without underlying risk factors and poor oral hygiene are amongst the important issues that require further investigation.