Post-NICE 2008: antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures for patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Recently published guidance from NICE highlights that antibiotic prophylaxis is no longer required for patients with structural heart disease at risk of infective endocarditis. The American Heart Association has published similarly less interventive guidance. Individuals with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia are at risk of brain abscess from dental bacteraemias. In this article we explore why these patients do not fall into the groups considered by NICE and provide recommendations to reduce their risks of dental bacteraemias, including optimising dental hygiene and use of antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures.