Does Secondary Antibiotic Prophylaxis Improve Clinical Outcomes in Adult Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients Post-Valve Replacement?

Background: Secondary prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever in individuals with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) requires continuous antibiotic prophylaxis. However, the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on the outcome of patients with severe RHD who underwent heart valve replacement is unknown. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the use of antibiotics as secondary prophylaxis in RHD patients who underwent valve replacement and clinical outcomes including mortality, reoperation, and valve-related hospitalization.

Methods: We retrospectively compared outcomes of adult patients who underwent heart valve replacement for RHD at our institution from 1990 through 2014 and who received secondary antibiotic prophylaxis (prophylaxis group) with those who did not receive prophylaxis (nonprophylaxis group) using propensity score matching analysis.

Results: A total of 1094 patients (56% females, median age 40 years, range 31-53 years) were included with a median follow-up of 9.6 years (range 2.9-12.6 years). Antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed in 201 patients (18%). Propensity score matching analysis demonstrated no significant difference in overall survival (95% [92%-98%] vs 97% [95%-99%], respectively;  = .7), valve-related hospitalization-independent survival (72% [range 65%-78%] vs 81% [range 76%-88%];  = .25), and redo valve surgery-independent survival [76% [range 70%-83%] vs 75% [range 72%-79%];  = .41) at 10-year follow-up in the nonantibiotic prophylaxis versus the antibiotic prophylaxis group.

Conclusion: Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis among adult RHD patients following valve replacement is not associated with improved clinical outcomes.