Clinical Evaluation of a Vancomycin Dosage Strategy Based on a Serum Trough Concentration Model in Elderly Patients with Severe Pneumonia

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of a vancomycin dosage strategy based on a serum trough concentration model in elderly patients.Methods This prospective single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial categorized 66 elderly patients with severe pneumonia into study and control groups. The control group received vancomycin using a regimen decided by the attending physician. Meanwhile, the study group received individualized vancomycin therapy with a dosing strategy based on a serum trough concentration model. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with serum trough concentrations reaching the target values.The secondary endpoints were clinical response, vancomycin treatment duration, and vancomycinassociated acute kidney injury(VA-AKI) occurrence.Results All patients were at least 60 years old(median age = 81 years). The proportion of patients with target trough concentration achievement(≥ 15 mg/L) with the initial vancomycin regimen was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group(75.8% vs. 42.4%, P = 0.006).Forty-five patients(68.2%) achieved clinical success, the median duration of vancomycin therapy was10.0 days, and VA-AKI occurred in eight patients(12.1%). However, there were no significant differences in these parameters between the two groups. The model for predicting vancomycin trough concentrations was upgraded to: serum trough concentration(mg/L) = 17.194-0.104 × creatinine clearance rate(mL/min) + 0.313 × vancomycin daily dose [mg/(kg·d)].Conclusion A vancomycin dosage strategy based on a serum trough concentration model can improve the proportion of patients achieving target trough concentrations in elderly patients with severe pneumonia.

Influence of the Pre-shock State on the Prognosis of Medical Patients with Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective To investigate the effects of the pre-shock state on the mortality of patients with sepsis.Methods We enrolled patients with sepsis admitted to the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital. These patients were then classified into three groups: sepsis, pre-shock state,and septic shock. The primary outcome was the 28-day mortality rate. The secondary outcomes were the 90-day, 180-day, and 1-year mortality rates.Results A total of 303 patients(groups: sepsis 135 [44.6%]), pre-shock state(93 [30.7%]), and septic shock(75 [24.8%]) completed the 1-year follow-up. The mortality rates at 28 days, 90 days, and 180days and 1 year were significantly higher in the pre-shock state group than those of the sepsis group,but significantly lower than those in the septic shock group, especially among older patients. When compared with the pre-shock state group, the sepsis group had significantly lower mortality risks at 28days, 90 days, and 180 days and 1 year, whereas the sepsis shock group had higher mortality risks at these time points.Conclusion The mortality rates of patients in the pre-shock state were notably different from those of patients with sepsis or septic shock. The introduction of a modified sepsis severity classification, which includes sepsis, pre-shock state, and septic shock, could offer valuable additional prognostic information.