Ceftazidime in intensive care medicine and haemofiltration

Twenty-seven intensive care patients with septicaemia or other infections and associated severe cardiovascular disease were treated with ceftazidime in a dose of 2 g iv twice daily. In 19 patients the infection was cured or improved during the therapy. Laboratory abnormalities were frequently seen but could in all cases be explained by severe underlying disease. Ceftazidime assays were performed in 6 patients with renal failure undergoing haemofiltration; 0.5 g ceftazidime given every second day maintained effective drug levels in these patients.