Clinical Outcomes With Extended Versus Intermittent Infusion of Anti-Pseudomonal Beta-Lactams in Patients With Gram-Negative Bacteremia

Background Administration of doses via an extended infusion (EI) is an important strategy to optimize beta-lactams. Available data on the impact of EI on outcomes largely focus on clinical cure or mortality in critically ill patients or those with resistant pathogens. The potential benefits of EI extend beyond these populations and outcomes, and further study is warranted. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who received cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, or meropenem for Gram-negative bacteremia via EI or intermittent infusion. Patients were matched 1:1 based on study drug, sepsis severity, intensive care unit (ICU) status, bacteremia source, and pathogen. Outcomes assessed included time to clinical stabilization, rates of treatment failure, mortality, recurrence, and length of stay (LOS). Results Two hundred sixty-eight patients were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Forty-two percent of patients were in the ICU at infection onset and the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli (41%). After adjusting for residual differences between groups, receipt of EI was independently associated with shorter time to clinical stability (adjusted odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, .22-.47), time to defervescence, and time to white blood cell count normalization. Furthermore, EI was associated with a lower incidence of treatment failure, decreased recurrence of bacteremia, and shorter LOS. There was no difference in mortality. These findings were consistent regardless of patient location (ICU vs ward), baseline renal function, source of bacteremia, or study drug received. Conclusions These findings suggest that EI beta-lactams are an important stewardship strategy to improve clinical outcomes in patients with Gram-negative bacteremia.

Automated summary

This retrospective cohort study found that extended infusion of beta-lactams is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with Gram-negative bacteremia, including shorter time to clinical stability, decreased treatment failure and recurrence, and shorter length of stay. These findings suggest that extended infusion is an important strategy for improving outcomes in patients with Gram-negative bacteremia.