Antibiotic Over-Prescription by Dentists in the Treatment of Apical Periodontitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

After pulp infection and necrosis, the passage of microbial antigens into the periapical space causes apical periodontitis (AP). Most of the clinical forms of AP can be managed without prescribing antibiotics, only with root canal treatment and abscess drainage or, where appropriate, tooth extraction. However, the scientific literature provides evidence of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in the management of apical disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the global pattern of antibiotic prescription in the treatment of apical disease. METHODS: PRISMA Guidelines were followed to carry out this systematic review. The research question was as follows: What is the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of the different clinical forms of apical periodontitis? A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Wiley Online Database, Web of Science and Scopus. All studies reporting data about the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of apical disease were included. The meta-analyses were calculated using the Open Meta Analyst version 10.10 software. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 96 articles and thirty-nine cross-sectional studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall percentage of antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in cases of symptomatic AP was 25.8%, and 31.5% in cases of asymptomatic AP with sinus tract present. The percentage of dentists prescribing antibiotics in cases of acute apical abscess with no/mild symptoms was 47.7%, whereas, in cases of acute apical abscess with moderate/severe symptoms, 88.8% of dentists would prescribe antibiotics. Endodontists prescribe antibiotics at a lower rate than general practitioners. The total risk of bias was considered moderate, and the final rating for the certainty of the evidence was low. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists worldwide are over-prescribing antibiotics in the management of apical disease. It is necessary to improve antibiotic prescribing habits in the treatment of endodontic infections, as well as educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate prescription of antibiotics in periapical diseases.

The role of computed tomography angiography in patients undergoing evaluation for minimally invasive cardiac surgery: an early program experience.

OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of patients are undergoing surgical procedures using minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). These techniques use conventional or retrograde arterial perfusion with direct aortic cross-clamping or endoballoon occlusion. Precise knowledge of the arterial tree is required to avoid complications and to plan for the operation. We examined the role of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in evaluating patients for MICS. METHODS: We reviewed all consecutive candidates undergoing CTA during preoperative evaluation for MICS aortic, mitral, tricuspid, Maze, atrial septal defect, or myxoma procedures between February 2008 and May 2010. The CTA findings of patients excluded from MICS were compared against those successfully undergoing MICS. RESULTS: One hundred eleven MICS candidates underwent preoperative CTA. Thirty-five (32%) had single or multiple CTA findings precluding MICS and underwent sternotomy. Seventy-six (68%) had favorable CTA findings and underwent MICS. The MICS group had a mean age of 62 years, with 29 women (39%); the non-MICS group had a mean age of 68 years, with 17 women (48%). Of the patients excluded from MICS, two (6%) had diminished or absent lower extremity pulses. All MICS patients (except for aortic) had successful use of the endoballoon. There were no perfusion or peripheral vascular complications. There was one stroke, one lymphocele, and one death (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography angiography is of fundamental importance in evaluating patients for MICS. It can identify calcified regions that make for threatening catheter passage with subsequent retrograde arterial perfusion. Abnormalities of the arterial tree are identified. The use of CTA-guided patient selection can thus avoid major perioperative complications.

Navigator-gated MR angiography of the renal arteries: a potential screening tool for renal artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine how well unenhanced navigator-gated steady-state free precession (Nav SSFP) MR angiography (MRA) performs as a screening test for the detection of renal artery stenosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients referred to rule out renal artery stenosis were imaged using an optimized Nav SSFP MRA sequence before conventional contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA). Two radiologists evaluated Nav SSFP for maximum stenosis measurement, and comparison was made with CE-MRA results. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 40 patients had greater than 50% renal artery stenosis as determined on CE-MRA. Sensitivity for detecting renal artery stenosis with Nav SSFP was 100%; specificity, 84%; negative predictive value, 100%; and positive predictive value, 79%. The average mean stenosis difference between Nav SSFP and CE-MRA was 10% +/- 9%. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity and negative predictive value for the detection of renal artery stenosis using Nav SSFP were perfect, with an acceptable specificity of 84%. This suggests Nav SSFP is a promising technique for simple unenhanced screening for the detection of renal artery stenosis.