Final answer:
Cardiac patients may need antibiotic prophylaxis before procedures like dental work or surgery to prevent bloodstream infections. Prophylactic antibiotics are shown to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections significantly. Specific antibiotics are chosen based on the patient's condition and the potential pathogens involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardiac patients may require antibiotic prophylaxis prior to certain medical procedures to prevent infection. The American Heart Association has guidelines for when these prophylactic antibiotics are necessary, such as in patients with specific heart conditions who are undergoing procedures that have a high risk of causing a bacteremia like dental procedures, certain surgeries, and catheter insertions. It is crucial because pathogens can be introduced into the bloodstream, leading to serious infections such as endocarditis.
A cohort study demonstrated the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAI) post-surgery. In this study, the group that received antibiotics had markedly fewer cases of HAI compared to the group that didn't. This shows the importance of administering prophylactic antibiotics, ideally 60 minutes before incision, to minimize the risk of infection.
In the case of Javier, an 80-year-old patient with heart disease, antibiotics were administered intravenously during and after his angioplasty to prevent infection. Patients like Javier, who may have prosthetic valves or other risk factors, might receive a specific regimen, including antibiotics like vancomycin, rifampin, and gentamicin for synergistic coverage of typical pathogens.