Aerosolized Colistin for VAP?

In a retrospective case-control study, adding aerosolized colistin to intravenous colistin did not improve outcomes in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria is an increasing problem and leads to the use of older antibiotics that may have significant toxicities. The value of one such drug, intravenous (IV) colistin, has been questioned because of low lung penetration. Might a combination of aerosolized (AS) plus IV colistin lead to improved outcomes — or at least to reduced toxicity?

To assess this possibility, researchers at an intensive care unit in Crete performed a retrospective case-control study over a 4-year period. The 86 participants had monomicrobial VAP caused by pathogens that were susceptible only to colistin (Acinetobacter baumannii in 66 patients, Klebsiella pneumoniae in 12, and Pseudomonas …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Aerosolized Colistin for VAP?

Topics

Reviewing Author