Aortic insufficiency precautions


 * ,, Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [mailto:msbeih@perfuse.org]

Precautions
People with aortic insufficiency of any aetiology are at risk for the development of infection of their damaged valve, i.e. infective endocarditis. To lessen the chance of developing that serious complication, people with AI are usually advised to take antibiotic prophylaxis around the time of certain dental/medical/surgical procedures. Routine upper and lower GI endoscopy (i.e. gastroscopy and colonoscopy), with or without biopsy, are not usually considered indications for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Not withstanding the foregoing, the American Heart Association has recently changed its recommendations regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for endocarditis. Specifically, as of 2007, it is recommended that such prophylaxis be limited only to:
 * Those with prosthetic heart valves.
 * Those with previous episode(s) of endocarditis.
 * Those with certain types of congenital heart disease.