Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACY
Volume 67, Issue 15, Pages 1238-1245Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.2146/ajhp090325
Keywords
Colony stimulating factor; Critical illness; Hematopoietic agents; Mortality; Sepsis; Septic shock; Toxicity
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Purpose. The efficacy and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were evaluated. Summary. The medical literature was reviewed to identify published trials, case reports, and case series on the use of G-CSF in critically ill patients for treatment of severe sepsis or septic shock. G-CSF has been evaluated as an adjunct to standard care for critically ill patients. Initial studies involving critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock found mortality benefits with G-CSF therapy; however, these findings are limited by factors such as small sample sizes, selection bias, and lack of an appropriate control group. Prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind studies failed to confirm the benefits in mortality for patients receiving G-CSF for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. Due to the limitations in the design of the studies that report a mortality benefit and prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind studies that report the lack of a mortality benefit, a recommendation to add G-CSF as an adjunctive therapy in critically ill patients with severe sepsis and septic shock cannot be made at this time. Conclusion. The available data, especially those from large, prospective, randomized, double-blind studies, do not support the use of G-CSF as an adjunct therapy to standard care for critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Data from prospective, large, randomized, controlled, well-designed studies are needed to define the optimal G-CSF dosing regimen, the safety of this therapy, and the effects of G-CSF on patient morbidity and survival.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available