[Antibiotic therapy in the intensive care unit]

The results of antibiotic treatment administered to 78 patients within one year are reported. Due to the nosocomial nature of the infections, the serious overall condition of the patients and the associated diseases, the prognosis remained unfavourable despite adequate antibiotic treatment. In the group of patients on dialysis ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin proved effective. Patients with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis responded well to doxycycline. In the treatment of infections of the urinary tract, the known favourable effect of cotrimoxazol was confirmed. Of the group of 78 patients with transitory or permanent cardiostimulation, 18 received antibiotic treatment. In 6 of them with transitory cardiostimulation antibiotics were given as a prophylactic measure, 4 patients developed febrile conditions after implantation of the cardiostimulator and 8 patients received antibiotics due to infections of the respiratory and urinary tract. After implantation of the cardiostimulator 60 patients (77%) did not require antibacterial treatment. (Ref. 5.)