title: Continuous versus intermittent piperacillin/tazobactam infusion   in infection due to or suspected pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is lack of information on the efficacy and safety of piperacillin–tazobactam administered by continuous infusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether continuous infusion of piperacillin–tazobactam is superior in terms of efficacy to a 30 % higher dose administered by intermittent infusion to treat suspected or confirmed infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Setting Multicenter clinical trial with 11 third level Spanish hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind parallel-group clinical trial, controlled by conventional administration of the drug. Patients randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive piperacillin–tazobactam as continuous infusion (CI) or intermittent (II).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary efficacy endpoint was percentage of patients having a satisfactory clinical response at completion of treatment, defined as clinical cure or clinical improvement. Adverse events were reported. Results 78 patients were included, 40 in the CI group and 38 in the II group. Mean (standard deviation) duration of treatment was 7 (±4.44) days. 58 patients (74.4 %) experienced cure or improvement at the end of the treatment. There were no statistical differences in cure rates between the two treatment arms and no adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous infusion of piperacillin–tazobactam is an alternative administration drug method at least similar in efficacy and safety to conventional intermittent infusion. Multivariate analysis is needed to determine whether continuous administration might be more beneficial than intermittent in certain patient subgroups.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cotrina-Luque
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gil-Navarro
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Acosta-García
authors.forename: Eva Rocío
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Alfaro-Lara
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luque-Márquez
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beltrán-García
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Bautista-Paloma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D058491:Bacterial Load; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012074:Remission Induction; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D010878:Piperacillin