Use of Liposomal Amphotericin B in Critically III Patients: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Clinical Study

Authors: Álvarez-Lerma, F.; Mariscal, F.; Quintana, E.; Rialp, G.; Díaz-Regañón, J.; Pérez, M.J.; Álvarez-Sánchez, B.; Ausín Aoiz, I.

Source: Journal of Chemotherapy, Number 3, June 2009 , pp. 330-337(8)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

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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 firstline 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 firstline and rescue treatment and mainly for proven invasive fungal infection was associated with a high rate of satisfactory clinical response.

Keywords: ICU; critically ill patient; invasive fungal infections; Liposomal amphotericin B

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 2009-06-01

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