Continuous infusion versus intermittent administration of meropenem in critically ill patients (MERCY): A multicenter randomized double-blind trial. Rationale and design

Mastering the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score: Critical Choices of Score Statistic, Timing, Imputations, and Competing Risk Handling in Major Trials-A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score originated as a tool for assessing organ dysfunction in critical illness but has expanded to become an outcome measure in clinical trials. We aimed to assess how the SOFA score was used as the primary or secondary endpoint of major randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

DATA SOURCES

Independent reviewers searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles were selected when they fulfilled: 1) RCT; 2) SOFA score was primary or secondary endpoint; and 3) published in the Lancet , New England Journal of Medicine , or Journal of the American Medical Association .

DATA EXTRACTION

Data collection included study details, outcomes, statistical differences in SOFA score, choice of score statistics, timepoints of SOFA reporting, and how missing data and competing risks analysis were managed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-three RCTs had SOFA score as outcome measure, eight used it as primary endpoint. Daily maximum SOFA was the key statistic in 11 RCTs, delta SOFA was used in eight, and mean SOFA in four. Mean SOFA was most frequently chosen as primary endpoint (4/8, 50%). There were 18 different outcome assessment timepoints, ranging from 1 to 28 days. Three RCTs reported statistically significant difference in SOFA between groups. Handling of missing SOFA scores was not described in ten of 23 RCTs. When described, it varied from study to study with variable imputation methods and variable accounting for the competing risk of mortality and ICU discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

There is major variability in the choice of summary statistic for SOFA score analysis and assessment timepoints, when using it as outcome measure in RCTs. There was either no information or great variability in the handling of missing values, use of imputation, and accounting for competing risk. The current use of SOFA scores in RCTs lacks sufficient reproducibility and statistical and methodological robustness.

Impact of prolonged versus intermittent infusion of meropenem on mortality and clinical outcomes in patients with severe infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with severe infection treated with prolonged or intermittent infusion of meropenem.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were searched until July 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies comparing prolonged versus intermittent infusion of meropenem were considered eligible. The primary outcomes included all-cause mortality and clinical improvement, while secondary outcomes encompassed hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay duration, microbial eradication rate, and adverse events. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the modified JADAD scale for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included, with a total of 1698 patients. Prolonged infusion of meropenem was associated with a significantly lower mortality rate compared to intermittent infusion (RR = 0.81, 95 % CI: 0.68-0.98). It also significantly improved clinical improvement rates (RR = 1.35, 95 % CI: 1.11-1.64) and microbial eradication rates (RR = 1.19, 95 % CI: 1.08-1.32). There were no statistically significant differences in ICU length of stay or hospital length of stay. Subgroup analyses showed that prolonged infusion was significantly associated with lower mortality and better clinical improvement rates in patients with an APACHE II score <20.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged infusion of meropenem is more effective than intermittent infusion in reducing mortality, improving clinical outcomes, and enhancing microbial eradication, without increasing adverse events. These benefits are particularly evident in patients with lower disease severity (APACHE II < 20), emphasizing the importance of patient stratification in optimizing treatment strategies.

REGISTRATION

This systematic review and meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (number: CRD42023445360).

[Translated article] Retrospective study of home antibiotic infusion therapy using elastomeric infusion pumps

OBJECTIVES

To describe the experience of home antibiotic infusion therapy using elastomeric infusion pumps, administered to patients admitted to the Home Hospitalisation Unit of a tertiary hospital for 3 years and to analyse clinical evolution and mortality.

METHOD

Retrospective observational study. The medical history of the patients included in the study was reviewed. Information was obtained on personal history, antimicrobial therapy received, and clinical evolution. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® 19 software.

RESULTS

81 patients were included, 61.7% men, with a mean age of 73.5±17.5 years. The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (30.9%) and chronic kidney disease (28.4%). Patients received a mean of 11.9±8.5 days of antibiotic treatment in an elastomeric infusion pump. The main focus of infection was respiratory (27.2%), followed by bacteremia (16%) and skin and soft tissue infections (12.3%). Of the infections, 65.4% were monomicrobial, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the main microorganism involved (39.6%). The most commonly used antimicrobial was piperacillin/tazobactam (33.3%). The clinical course was good in 85.2% of the patients, but the mortality rate in the 30 days following the end of treatment was 24.7%. In the univariate analysis, a history of neoplasia in the last 5 years (p=.01) and having received fewer days of antibiotic therapy prior to the start of outpatient antimicrobial therapy in infusion pump (p=.04) were associated with worse clinical outcome. Age over 80 years was associated with better outcome (p=.03). The diagnosis of heart failure was associated with higher mortality (p=.026) and patients from surgical services, with lower mortality (p=.047). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of neoplasia was associated with unfavourable evolution (p=.012) and heart failure with higher mortality (p=.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient antimicrobial therapy in elastomeric infusion pumps is an alternative in patients requiring prolonged intravenous treatment, and age is not a conditioning factor for inclusion in these programs. However, the presence of certain comorbidities can negatively affect the clinical course and mortality of patients.

Retrospective study of home antibiotic infusion therapy in elastomeric infusion pumps

OBJECTIVES

To describe the experience of home antibiotic infusion therapy using elastomeric infusion pumps, administered to patients admitted to the Home Hospitalization Unit of a tertiary hospital for three years and to analyse clinical evolution and mortality.

METHOD

Retrospective observational study. The medical history of the patients included in the study was reviewed. Information was obtained on personal history, antimicrobial therapy received and clinical evolution. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® 19 software.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients were included, 61.7% men, with a mean age of 73.5 ± 17.5 years. The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (30.9%) and chronic kidney disease (28.4%). Patients received a mean of 11.9 ± 8.5 days of antibiotic treatment in an elastomeric infusion pump. The main focus of infection was respiratory (27.2%), followed by bacteremia (16%) and skin and soft tissue infections (12.3%). Of the infections, 65.4% were monomicrobial, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the main microorganism involved (39.6%). The most commonly used antimicrobial was piperacillin/tazobactam (33.3%). The clinical course was good in 85.2% of the patients, but the mortality rate in the 30 days following the end of treatment was 24.7%. In the univariate analysis, a history of neoplasia in the last 5 years (p = 0.01) and having received fewer days of antibiotic therapy prior to the start of outpatient antimicrobial therapy in infusion pump (p = 0.04) were associated with worse clinical outcome. Age over 80 years was associated with better outcome (p = 0.03). The diagnosis of heart failure was associated with higher mortality (p = 0.026) and patients from surgical services, with lower mortality (p = 0.047). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of neoplasia was associated with unfavorable evolution (p = 0.012) and heart failure with higher mortality (p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient antimicrobial therapy in elastomeric infusion pumps is an alternative in patients requiring prolonged intravenous treatment, and age is not a conditioning factor for inclusion in these programs. However, the presence of certain comorbidities can negatively affect the clinical course and mortality of patients.

Usage of Meropenem Continuous Infusion for Treatment of Infectious Complications in Orthopedic Elderly Patients with Anemia: A Case Series

Background and Objectives: The prolonged infusion of meropenem is recommended by guidelines for the treatment of sepsis. However, studies provide controversial data on the advantages of prolonged infusions over intermittent ones. In our opinion, this can be related to age, which possibly distorts the final data, as older people have age-related characteristics. In our study, we analyzed the ventilatory status, laboratory tests and vital signs of the patient and carried out microbiological cultures. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective single-center case series investigation conducted from June 2022 to June 2023. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of continuous infusion in elderly patients with severe infectious complications after orthopedic interventions. The primary endpoints were 28-day survival and the emergence of new multidrug-resistant strains. Secondary endpoints were long-term mortality and length of stay in the ICU. Results: Three patients (median age 65, 100% female) received a continuous infusion of meropenem. Two patients were alive at hospital discharge, and one patient died on the 105th day of hospitalization. Multi-resistant bacteria were observed in one patient. Conclusions: The use of a continuous meropenem infusion in the complex treatment of purulent-septic complications in elderly patients with periprosthetic infection and anemia probably led to clinical improvement in these case reports. However, the emergence of new pan-resistant strains and overall mortality using this infusion technique remains unclear. Further, high-quality RCTs for the elderly are needed.

High dose esomeprazole as an anti-inflammatory agent in sepsis: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is caused by dysregulated immune responses due to infection and still presents high mortality rate and limited efficacious therapies, apart from antibiotics. Recent evidence suggests that very high dose proton pump inhibitors might regulate major sepsis mediators' secretion by monocytes, which might attenuate excessive host reactions and improve clinical outcomes. This effect is obtained with doses which are approximately 50 times higher than prophylactic esomeprazole single daily administration and 17 times higher than the cumulative dose of a three day prophylaxis. We aim to perform a randomized trial to investigate if high dose esomeprazole reduces organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis or septic shock.

METHODS

This study, called PPI-SEPSIS, is a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on critically ill septic patients admitted to the emergency department or intensive care unit. A total of 300 patients will be randomized to receive high dose esomeprazole (80 mg bolus followed by 12 mg/h for 72 h and a second 80 mg bolus 12 h after the first one) or equivolume placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%), with 1:1 allocation. The primary endpoint of the study will be mean daily Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score over 10 days. Secondary outcomes will include antibiotic-free days, single organ failure severity, intensive care unit-free days at day 28, and mortality.

DISCUSSION

This trial aims to test the efficacy of high dose esomeprazole to reduce acute organ dysfunction in patients with septic shock.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with the trial identification NCT03452865 in March 2018.

Continuous vs Intermittent Meropenem Administration in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis: The MERCY Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Meropenem is a widely prescribed β-lactam antibiotic. Meropenem exhibits maximum pharmacodynamic efficacy when given by continuous infusion to deliver constant drug levels above the minimal inhibitory concentration. Compared with intermittent administration, continuous administration of meropenem may improve clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether continuous administration of meropenem reduces a composite of mortality and emergence of pandrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacteria compared with intermittent administration in critically ill patients with sepsis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial enrolling critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock who had been prescribed meropenem by their treating clinicians at 31 intensive care units of 26 hospitals in 4 countries (Croatia, Italy, Kazakhstan, and Russia). Patients were enrolled between June 5, 2018, and August 9, 2022, and the final 90-day follow-up was completed in November 2022.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive an equal dose of the antibiotic meropenem by either continuous administration (n = 303) or intermittent administration (n = 304).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality and emergence of pandrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacteria at day 28. There were 4 secondary outcomes, including days alive and free from antibiotics at day 28, days alive and free from the intensive care unit at day 28, and all-cause mortality at day 90. Seizures, allergic reactions, and mortality were recorded as adverse events.

RESULTS

All 607 patients (mean age, 64 [SD, 15] years; 203 were women [33%]) were included in the measurement of the 28-day primary outcome and completed the 90-day mortality follow-up. The majority (369 patients, 61%) had septic shock. The median time from hospital admission to randomization was 9 days (IQR, 3-17 days) and the median duration of meropenem therapy was 11 days (IQR, 6-17 days). Only 1 crossover event was recorded. The primary outcome occurred in 142 patients (47%) in the continuous administration group and in 149 patients (49%) in the intermittent administration group (relative risk, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.81-1.13], P = .60). Of the 4 secondary outcomes, none was statistically significant. No adverse events of seizures or allergic reactions related to the study drug were reported. At 90 days, mortality was 42% both in the continuous administration group (127 of 303 patients) and in the intermittent administration group (127 of 304 patients).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In critically ill patients with sepsis, compared with intermittent administration, the continuous administration of meropenem did not improve the composite outcome of mortality and emergence of pandrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacteria at day 28.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03452839.

Barriers and facilitators for therapeutic drug monitoring of beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin in the ICU: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Background

Recent studies demonstrated that failure of achieving pharmacodynamic targets of commonly used antibiotics is common in critically ill patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can contribute to optimize the exposure of beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin. While evidence for TDM of these antibiotics is growing, translation into clinical implementation remains limited. Therefore, perceived barriers and facilitators are important for implementing TDM in this population. The primary aim of this study was to identify healthcare professionals’ barriers and facilitators for the implementation of TDM of beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin in Dutch intensive care units (ICU).

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional online survey among healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in antibiotic treatment of ICU patients. An adapted version of the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations was sent out. Items were considered barriers when ≥ 20% of participants responded with a negative answer. If ≥ 80% of the participants responded with a positive answer, the item was considered a facilitator.

Results

Sixty-four HCPs completed the survey, of which 14 were from academic hospitals, 25 from general hospitals, and 25 from teaching hospitals. Most participants were hospital pharmacists (59%) or medical specialists (23%). Eleven barriers and four facilitators for implementation of TDM of beta-lactams were identified; 17 barriers for TDM of ciprofloxacin and no facilitators. The most important barriers were a lack of conclusive evidence, organizational support, and low availability of assays. Additional barriers were a lack of consensus on which specific patients to apply TDM and which pharmacodynamic targets to use. Identified facilitators for beta-lactam TDM implementation are low complexity and high task perception, combined with the perception that TDM is important to prevent side effects and to adequately treat infections. Twenty-eight percent of participants reported that flucloxacillin could be analyzed in their hospital. Assay availability of other beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin was lower (3–17%).

Conclusion

Several barriers were identified that could obstruct the implementation of TDM of beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin in the ICU. In particular, education, clear guidelines, and organizational support should be considered when creating tailored implementation strategies. Finally, evidence of beneficial clinical outcomes on TDM of beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin can enhance further implementation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07587-w.