The hope is that prompt recognition and treatment of this infectious complica- tion will diminish the likelihood of severe complications. Recommendations 1. Echocardiography is reasonable before or synchro- nous with completion of antimicrobial therapy to establish a new baseline for subsequent compari- son (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C). 2. A referral to a program to assist in the cessation of drug use should be made for IDUs (Class I; Level of Evidence C). 3. Patients should be educated about the signs of endocarditis and urged to seek immediate medi- cal attention should they develop (Class I; Level of Evidence C). 4. A thorough dental evaluation is reasonable, espe- cially in patients deemed likely to require valve replacement, with all active sources of oral infec- tion eradicated (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C). 5. Routine blood cultures are not recommended after the completion of antimicrobial therapy because the likelihood of a positive culture result in a patient who is otherwise without evidence of active infection is low (Class III; Level of Evidence C). 6. All indwelling intravenous catheters used to infuse antimicrobial treatment should be removed promptly at the end of therapy (Class I; Level of Evidence C). 7. For patients receiving long-term aminoglycosides, particularly those with underlying renal or otic disorders, serial audiograms may be considered during therapy if available (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C). 8. In the short-term follow-up, patients should be monitored for the development of several com- plications, including IE relapse and heart failure (Class I; Level of Evidence C). 9. Patients should be aware that relapses can occur and that new onset of fever, chills, or other evidence of systemic toxicity mandates immediate evalu- ation, including a thorough history and physical examination and 3 sets of blood cultures (Class I; Level of Evidence C). 