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[Cefepim in empiric therapy of ventilator-associated pneumonia]

Jowita Biernawska1, Maciej Zukowski, Małgorzata Zegan-Barańska

  • 1Oddział Anestezjologii, Reanimacji i Intensywnej Terapii z Pododdziałem Ostrych Zatruć SPSK Nr 2 w Szczecinie. lisienko@wp.pl

Anestezjologia Intensywna Terapia
|March 6, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This case study shows that empirical cefepime treatment effectively managed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a cardiac surgery patient. The antibiotic therapy improved the patient's overall condition, highlighting its potential in treating Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common post-surgical infection, often caused by resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Treatment challenges arise due to increasing antimicrobial resistance.
  • VAP necessitates effective therapeutic strategies, particularly in high-risk surgical patients.

Observation:

  • A 73-year-old patient with cardiac conditions (coronary artery bypass grafting, cardiac aneurysm excision, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes) developed VAP post-surgery.
  • Postoperative indicators included elevated CRP and procalcitonin.
  • Enterobacter cloacae was identified in the bronchial tree, alongside lung atelectasis.

Findings:

  • Empirical antibiotic therapy with cefepime was initiated for suspected VAP.
  • The patient received 10 days of intravenous cefepime.
  • Clinical improvement and resolution of infection markers were observed.

Implications:

  • Empirical cefepime can be an effective treatment for VAP, even in complex surgical patients.
  • Prompt antibiotic intervention can improve patient outcomes and reduce VAP severity.
  • This case supports the use of cefepime as a viable option for empirical VAP treatment.

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