[Prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis].

An effective prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis is necessary in patients at risk. In all medical specialities, a lack of information about the importance concerning an antibiotic prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis remains. Among other institutions the American Heart Association has updated recommendations for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in order to more clearly define when prophylaxis is or is not recommended, improve practitioner and patient compliance, and reduce cost as well as potential side effects.