Abstract
The recently published POET trial breaks with the established paradigm of long-term, high-dose intravenous antibiotics for all patients with endocarditis. The study involved 400 Danish patients who had endocarditis caused by Gram-positive micro-organisms and who had a favourable response to initial intravenous therapy. The IV to oral switch appeared to be non-inferior to continuing intravenous treatment. From the perspective of antibiotic stewardship, this is a step forward because a shorter period of intravenous therapy reduces catheter-associated complications. However, treating clinicians should realise that the study had strict inclusion criteria and that its results apply to selected, low-risk patients only.
Translated title of the contribution | Should infective endocarditis be treated with oral antibiotics? |
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Original language | Dutch |
Article number | D3440 |
Journal | Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
Volume | 163 |
Issue number | 15 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2019 |