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Imipenem‐cilastatin for empirical therapy in neutropenic patients with fever: An open study in patients with hematologic malignancies
Author(s) -
Huijgens P. C.,
Ossenkoppele G. J.,
Weijers T. F.,
Loenen A. C.,
SimoonsSmit A. M.,
Wijermans P. W.,
Pampus E. C. M.,
Langenhuijsen M. M. A. C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1991.tb00512.x
Subject(s) - imipenem/cilastatin , medicine , imipenem , neutropenia , cilastatin , antibiotics , empirical treatment , fever of unknown origin , intensive care medicine , surgery , chemotherapy , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , antibiotic resistance
In adult neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies, we explored imipenem‐cilastatin as empirical antibiotic therapy in a dose of 500 mg four times daily. Changing to second‐line treatment was only resorted to if clinical deterioration, new infections or recurrence of fever occurred. A clinically or microbiologically documented infection was apparent in 115 of 150 episodes studied (76.7%). Imipenem‐cilastatin was successful in 70.7% of all episodes and in 67.8% of all proven infections. Modification was necessary and successful in 22.0% of all episodes. 11 patients died while still febrile, 6 of them by infection (4%) and 5 because of progressive disease (3.3%). Imipenem‐cilastatin is safe initial therapy in neutropenic febrile patients.