Background: Intravenous oxytocin is commonly used for labor induction. However, a consensus on the initial dosing regimen is lac with conflicting research findings and varying guidelines. This study aimed to develop a population kinetic-pharmacodynamic (K-PD) model for oxytocin-induced uterine contractions considering real-world data and relevant influencing factors to establish an optimal starting dosing regimen for intravenous oxytocin.
Methods: This retrospective study included pregnant women who underwent labor induction with intravenous oxytocin at Peking University Third Hospital in 2020. A population K-PD model was developed to depict the time course of uterine contraction frequency (UCF), and covariate screening identified significant factors affecting the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxytocin. Model-based simulations were used to optimize the current starting regimen based on specific guidelines.
Results: Data from 77 pregnant women with 1095 UCF observations were described well by the K-PD model. Parity, cervical dilation, and membrane integrity are significant factors influencing the effectiveness of oxytocin. Based on the model-based simulations, the current regimens showed prolonged onset times and high infusion rates. This study proposed a revised approach, beginning with a rapid infusion followed by a reduced infusion rate, enabling most women to achieve the target UCF within approximately 30 min with the lowest possible infusion rate.
Conclusion: The K-PD model of oxytocin effectively described the changes in UCF during labor induction. Furthermore, it revealed that parity, cervical dilation, and membrane integrity are key factors that influence the effectiveness of oxytocin. The optimal starting dosing regimens obtained through model simulations provide valuable clinical references for oxytocin treatment.
Introduction: There are known disparities in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, disparities in treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are largely uninvestigated.
Objectives: We characterized UTI treatment among males in Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient settings by age, race, and ethnicity and identified demographic characteristics predictive of recommended first-choice antibiotic therapy.
Methods: We conducted a national, retrospective cohort study of male VA patients diagnosed with a UTI and dispensed an outpatient antibiotic from January 2010 through December 2020. Recommended first-choice therapy for complicated UTI was defined as use of a recommended first-line antibiotic drug choice regardless of area of involvement (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) and a recommended duration of 7 to 10 days of therapy. Multivariable models were used to identify demographic predictors of recommended first-choice therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] > 1).
Results: We identified a total of 157,898 males diagnosed and treated for a UTI in the outpatient setting. The average antibiotic duration was 9.4 days (±standard deviation [SD] 4.6), and 47.6% of patients were treated with ciprofloxacin, 25.1% with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, 7.6% with nitrofurantoin, and 6.6% with levofloxacin. Only half of the male patients (50.6%, n = 79,928) were treated with recommended first-choice therapy (first-line drug choice and appropriate duration); 77.6% (n = 122,590) were treated with a recommended antibiotic choice and 65.9% (n = 104,070) with a recommended duration. Age 18-49 years (aOR 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.11) versus age ≥65 years was the only demographic factor predictive of recommended first-choice therapy.
Conclusions: Nearly half of the patients included in this study did not receive recommended first-choice therapies; however, racial and ethnic disparities were not identified. Underutilization of recommended first-choice antibiotic therapy in complicated UTIs continues to be an area of focus for antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Introduction: The optimal dosing and monitoring of vancomycin in pediatrics is still unknown but has evolved to emphasize area under the curve over 24 h (AUC0-24) over minimum concentration (Cmin) monitoring. Real-world data supporting the feasibility of two-concentration kinetics with first-order equations for the estimation of vancomycin AUC0-24 in pediatric patients are lacking.
Objectives: To describe the interplay of vancomycin dose, AUC0-24, and Cmin using first-order equations within four pediatric age groups.
Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study analyzing pediatric patients (<18 years) receiving intravenous vancomycin between 2020 and 2022. Included patients received at least 24 h of intravenous vancomycin with two concentrations obtained within 96 h of therapy initiation. Patients with baseline renal dysfunction were excluded. Patients were divided into four age categories: neonates (≤28 days), infants (29 days to <1 year), children (1-12 years), and adolescents (13-17 years). First-order equations were utilized to estimate pharmacokinetic parameters and AUC0-24.
Results: Overall, 219 patients (median age of 6 years [IQR 1-12]) met inclusion criteria. The median vancomycin daily dose was 30 mg/kg in neonates, 70 mg/kg in infants and children, and 52 mg/kg in adolescents. Median Cmin and AUC0-24 values among all age groups were 8.68 mg/L and 505 mg * h/L, respectively. For AUC0-24 values outside of the therapeutic range (400-600 mg * h/L), more values were SUPRAtherapeutic (>600 mg * h/L) than SUBtherapeutic (<400 mg * h/L). The overall trend within our data showed suboptimal correlation between Cmin and AUC0-24. However, 71% of patients with Cmin values of 5-10 mg/L had an AUC0-24 within the therapeutic range of 400-600 mg * h/L, whereas 23 patients (92%) with a SUPRAtherapeutic AUC0-24 had a Cmin value ≥15 mg/L. Approximately 10% of patients experienced acute kidney injury.
Conclusions: Our data describe the relationship between vancomycin dose, Cmin, and AUC0-24 in pediatric patients. We demonstrated the feasibility of using first-order equations to estimate AUC0-24, using two concentrations obtained at steady state to monitor efficacy and safety in pediatric patients receiving intravenous vancomycin. Our data showed suboptimal correlation between AUC0-24 and Cmin, which indicates that Cmin should not be used as a surrogate marker for a therapeutic AUC0-24 in pediatric patients. In alignment with the 2020 vancomycin consensus guidelines, we suggest utilizing AUC0-24 for efficacy and safety monitoring.
Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) pneumonia is associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased mortality. Clinical data regarding the optimal treatment of CRAB is limited, and combination therapy is often preferred. Eravacycline has demonstrated in-vitro activity against A. baumannii and has been considered for the treatment of pulmonary infections caused by CRAB.
Objective: The objective of this case series was to describe clinical outcomes associated with eravacycline when utilized as part of a combination regimen for the treatment of CRAB pneumonia at a county hospital.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted from April 1, 2020, to October 1, 2020, which included hospitalized patients ≥18 years of age, diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with a sputum culture positive for CRAB, and receipt of at least one dose of eravacycline. The primary outcome studied was clinical resolution of CRAB pneumonia. A key secondary outcome was microbiological resolution.
Results: A total of 24 patients received combination eravacycline therapy for a median of 10.5 days. Overall, 17 (71%) patients demonstrated clinical resolution of CRAB pneumonia. Repeat sputum cultures post-treatment were collected in 17 (71%) patients, of which 12 (71%) achieved microbiological resolution. No adverse events attributable to eravacycline were identified.
Conclusion: With limited viable salvage treatment options, combination eravacycline therapy showed favorable microbiological and clinical outcomes in patients with CRAB pneumonia. In light of this, eravacycline could be considered as a potential treatment option when designing CRAB pneumonia salvage therapy regimens.