Use of liposomal amphotericin B in critically ill patients: a retrospective, multicenter, clinical study

J Chemother. 2009 Jun;21(3):330-7. doi: 10.1179/joc.2009.21.3.330.

Abstract

The clinical use of liposomal amphotericin B in 179 patients admitted to 30 medical-surgical intensive Care Units (ICUs) treated with this agent in 2006 was analyzed. Invasive fungal infections were proven, probable and possible in 44%, 16%, and 25% of cases, respectively. Fungi isolated were Candida albicans (38%), non-albicans Candida spp. (15%) and Aspergillus spp. (7%). The mean duration of treatment was 15 days (mean dose 3.7 mg/kg/day). The drug was used as rescue treatment after fluconazole or caspofungin in 47% of patients and as first line in 52% with a satisfactory clinical response in 54% of cases (72.6% with proven infection). Microbiological eradication was achieved in 68% of cases. Adverse events occurred in 51 patients but were severe in only 4. The use of liposomal amphotericin B both as first line and rescue treatment and mainly for proven invasive fungal infection was associated with a high rate of satisfactory clinical response.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APACHE
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / adverse effects
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Critical Illness
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B