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Clinical and microbiological efficacy of continuous versus intermittent application of meropenem in critically ill patients: a randomized open-label controlled trial
Critical Care, 06/29/2012
Clinical Article
Chytra I et al. – Continuous infusion of meropenem is safe, in comparison with higher intermittent dosage provides equal clinical outcome, generates superior bacteriological efficacy and offers encouraging alternative of antimicrobial therapy in critically ill patients.
Methods- Patients admitted to the interdisciplinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who suffered from severe infections and received meropenem were randomized either in the Infusion group (n=120) or in the Bolus group (n=120).
- Patients in the Infusion group received a loading dose of 2g of meropenem followed by a continuous infusion of 4g of meropenem over 24hours.
- Patients in the Bolus group were given 2 g of meropenem over 30minutes every 8hours.
- Clinical and microbiological outcome, safety, meropenem–related length of ICU and hospital stay, meropenem–related length of mechanical ventilation, duration of meropenem treatment, total dose of meropenem, ICU and in–hospital mortality were assessed.
- Clinical cure at the end of meropenem therapy was comparable between both groups (83.0% patients in the Infusion vs. 75.0% patients in the Bolus group; P=0.180).
- Microbiological success rate was higher in the Infusion group as opposed to the Bolus group (90.6% vs. 78.4%; P=0.020).
- Multivariate logistic regression identified continuous administration of meropenem as independent predictor of microbiological success (OR=2.977; 95% CI=1.050 to 8.443; P=0.040).
- Meropenem–related ICU stay was shorter in Infusion against Bolus group (10 [7–14]days vs. 12 [7–19]days; P=0.044) as well as shorter duration of meropenem therapy (7 [6–8]days vs. 8 [7–10]days; P=0.035) and lower total dose of meropenem (24 [21–32]grams vs. 48 [42–60]grams; P<0.0001).
- No severe adverse events related to meropenem administration in either group were observed.