Are Empirical β-Lactams Underdosed in Critically Ill Patients?

Nearly 20% of patients did not attain even the most-conservative drug-exposure targets for the antibiotics prescribed if least-susceptible pathogens typical for the infections were considered.

β-lactams are commonly used to treat severe infections. Previous investigations have shown that successful treatment requires maintaining free concentrations of these antibiotics above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 40% to 70% of the dosing interval. Higher and more-prolonged exposures may be necessary to treat severe infections. How well are these targets attained in empirical treatment of critically ill patients, who may exhibit altered drug clearance, volume of distribution, and protein binding?

To investigate this issue, researchers used data from a prospective, multinational, pharmacokinetic point-prevalence study involving 343 critically ill patients (median age, 60; median APACHE score, 18) who received any of eight β-…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Are Empirical β-Lactams Underdosed in Critically Ill Patients?

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Reviewing Author