title: [Beta lactam antibiotics and the question of dose regimen for severe infection. Prolonged infusion theoretically appealing--yet no evidence of clinical benefit].
abstract: Patients with severe sepsis/septic shock have a high mortality. Beta-lactam antibiotics are normally first line treatment. This antimicrobial class has been associated with time-dependent efficacy. It is therefore plausible that administration as prolonged infusion will increase the therapeutic effect, as compared to short term bolus injections, which is the most common practice today. We have reviewed 14 randomized controlled studies to investigate whether prolonged infusion provides lower mortality and/or increased clinical cure. In summary, convincing advantages with prolonged infusion could not be found, however randomized studies are heterogeneous, and it cannot be excluded that some subgroups of critically ill patients could benefit from such treatment.
authors: - Infektionskliniken Karlskrona, Sweden - Infektionskliniken Karlskrona, Sweden.
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Leander
authors: Klinisk Farmakologi - Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Huddinge Stockholm, Sweden - .
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Eliasson
authors: - Infectious Diseases Linköping, Sweden Clinical and Experimental Medicine, - Infectious Diseases Linköping, Sweden.
authors: Håkan
authors: H
authors: Hanberger
authors: Klinisk Mikrobiologi - Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna Stockholm, Sweden Klinisk Mikrobiologi - Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Giske
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams