Predictors for non-attainment of meropenem target concentrations when treating infections in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Failure to achieve target concentrations of β-lactam antibiotics is not uncommon despite administration of high doses. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors predicting non-attainment of β-lactams target concentration in critically ill patients receiving meropenem as an intravenous infusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included adult patients receiving meropenem by intravenous infusion and undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the intensive care units (ICU) at Nanjing First Hospital. Blood samples were analyzed using UPLC-MS. Potential risk factors were evaluated by correlating them with meropenem trough concentrations (Cmin ) lower than the targeted concentration (the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)).

RESULTS: Non-attainment of target concentrations was observed in 41 patients (19.5%) of the 210 patients examined. Predictors for non-attainment using multivariate logistic regression analysis were: age (p = 0.013), dosage (p = 0.042), augmented renal clearance (ARC), (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION: In addition to the expected risk factors (age and dosage), ARC was a predictor for non-attainment of the target concentration. The risk of non-attainment of target concentrations increased with an increase in creatinine clearance. Attention should be given to ARC and creatinine clearance when administering meropenem by intravenous infusion.