Subacute bacterial endocarditis. Clinical and laboratory observations in 27 consecutive cases treated with penicillin V by mouth.

Abstract

SINCE penicillin was first successfully employed in the treatment of bacterial endocarditis, a relatively large and comprehensive literature concerning the use of this agent in bacterial endocarditis has been recorded.1 2 3 4 5 6 It has been generally accepted that penicillin is the therapeutic agent of choice in this disease, that moderately large doses of penicillin must be administered and that a relatively prolonged period of treatment is required to effect maximal therapeutic response. Numerous therapeutic regimens have been employed with varying degrees of success, but today there is no unanimity of opinion regarding the optimal form, dose and route of administration of penicillin . . .