Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
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Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

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Continuous versus intermittent infusion of high-dose meropenem in critically ill patients: an observational cohort

Felix Bergmann1, Marlene Prager1, Katarina Kumpf2

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|March 20, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High-dose meropenem infusion strategies for critically ill patients were compared. Continuous infusion did not show improved outcomes over intermittent infusion for 90-day mortality or secondary endpoints.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The optimal administration of high-dose meropenem in critically ill patients is debated.
  • Continuous versus intermittent infusion strategies require further clinical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of continuous infusion versus intermittent infusion of high-dose meropenem in critically ill patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study included critically ill patients receiving high-dose meropenem (6 g/day or 4 g/day).
  • Patients were matched 1:3 based on propensity scores, with 90-day all-cause mortality as the primary outcome.

Main Results:

  • Matched cohorts included 199 continuous-infusion and 597 intermittent-infusion patients.
  • Adjusted 90-day mortality was 39.5% for continuous infusion and 35.9% for intermittent infusion (p=0.33).
  • No significant differences were found in secondary outcomes, including 30-day mortality and carbapenem resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous infusion of high-dose meropenem was not associated with improved clinical outcomes compared to intermittent infusion in this critically ill cohort.
  • Current evidence does not support a change in meropenem administration protocols for critically ill patients based on infusion method.
Keywords:
AntibioticsICUInfectionPK/PDSepsis

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