Ertapenem Versus Meropenem for the Treatment of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Bacteremia in Critically Ill Patients.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2024

Publication Title

The Annals of pharmacotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The preferred carbapenem for treatment of infections caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in critically ill patients is debated.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in clinical failure between ertapenem and meropenem for treatment of ESBL-E bacteremia in critically ill patients. Of concern is ertapenem use in hypoalbuminemia given the potential for higher drug clearance.

METHODS: This retrospective, matched cohort study compared critically ill patients treated with ertapenem or meropenem for ESBL-E bacteremia between October 2016 and August 2022. Patients were matched on age, sex, lowest albumin, and in a 1:2 ratio of ertapenem to meropenem. The primary outcome, clinical failure, was a composite of 30-day mortality, antibiotic escalation, and microbiological failure. Secondary outcomes included all-cause readmission and development of superinfection.

RESULTS: Of 54 patients, 18 received ertapenem and 36 meropenem. Most had a urinary infection source (55.6% vs 41.7%,

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: There was no difference in clinical failure in a small, retrospective cohort of critically ill patients receiving ertapenem or meropenem for ESBL-E bacteremia. Ertapenem may be appropriate in some critically ill and hypoalbuminemic patients, though additional data are needed.

Volume

58

Issue

7

First Page

690

Last Page

697

DOI

10.1177/10600280231205219

ISSN

1542-6270

PubMed ID

37881901

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