title: Comparison of the pharmacodynamics of meropenem in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia following administration by 3-hour infusion or bolus injection.
abstract: The time that concentrations in serum are above the MIC (T>MIC) is the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameter correlating with the therapeutic efficacy of beta-lactam antibiotics. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the T>MIC of meropenem when administered by a 3-h infusion compared with that when administered by bolus injection. The study was conducted with nine patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Each subject received meropenem in three regimens consecutively: (i) bolus injection of 1 g every 8 h for 24 h; (ii) 3-h infusion of 1 g every 8 h for 24 h; and (iii) 3-h infusion of 2 g every 8 h for 24 h. Following bolus injection, the percentages of the T>MICs of 16, 8, 4, and 1 microg/ml were 28.33% +/- 11.67%, 45.89% +/- 22.90%, 57.00% +/- 24.82%, and 74.67% +/- 17.94% of an 8-h interval, respectively. For the 3-h infusion of 1 g of meropenem, the percentages of the T>MICs of 16, 8, 4, and 1 microg/ml were 37.78% +/- 20.57%, 58.11% +/- 24.38%, 72.67% +/- 21.97%, and 93.56% +/- 6.84% of an 8-h interval, respectively. For the 3-h infusion of 2 g of meropenem, the percentages of the T>MICs of 16, 8, 4, and 1 microg/ml were 57.89% +/- 24.26%, 72.89% +/- 22.40%, 85.56% +/- 16.42%, and 98.56% +/- 3.28% of an 8-h interval, respectively. In conclusion, a 3-h infusion resulted in greater T>MICs than those after a bolus injection. For the treatment of infections caused by pathogens with intermediate resistance, a 3-h infusion of 2 g of meropenem every 8 h can provide concentrations in serum above the MIC of 16 microg/ml for almost 60% of an 8-h interval.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkla 90110, Thailand. sutep.j@psu.ac.th
authors.forename: Sutep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaruratanasirikul
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sriwiriyajan
authors.forename: Jarurat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Punyo
mesh_terms: D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D000077731:Meropenem