Murmurs, infective endocarditis and dentistry.

Patients with cardiac murmurs may have a predisposition to infective endocarditis, and the dental practitioner must be aware of this potential problem. This article reviews cardiac murmurs and how they are investigated by physicians to assess their significance. Practical advice is offered concerning the need to refer patients with a suspected heart murmur. The emergency and elective dental management of patients with heart murmurs is included, together with recommended regimens for antibiotic prophylaxis.