Bronchopulmonary disposition of intravenous voriconazole and anidulafungin given in combination to healthy adults.

Voriconazole and anidulafungin in combination are being investigated for use for the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis. We determined the pulmonary disposition of these agents. Twenty healthy participants received intravenous voriconazole (at 6 mg/kg of body weight every 12 h [q12h] on day 1 and then at 4 mg/kg q12h) and anidulafungin (200 mg on day 1 and then 100 mg every 24 h) for 3 days.

Bronchopulmonary disposition of micafungin in healthy adult volunteers.

By way of bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage, intrapulmonary steady-state concentrations of micafungin administered at 150 mg daily to 15 healthy volunteers were determined at 4, 12, and 24 h after the third dose. The micafungin disposition was predominantly intracellular, with approximately 106% penetration into alveolar macrophages and 5% penetration into epithelial lining fluid.

Electroconvulsive therapy for treatment of refractory depression in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive inherited disease that is usually first diagnosed in early childhood. It is a chronic and progressive disease in which mucus builds up and clogs passages in many body organs, but primarily the lungs and pancreas. We present a case report of a 42-year-old man with CF who was treated with electroconvulsive therapy for treatment-refractory major depressive disorder.

Empiric treatment of multidrug-resistant Burkholderia cepacia lung exacerbation in a patient with cystic fibrosis: application of pharmacodynamic concepts to meropenem therapy.

A 31-year-old man with cystic fibrosis was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant Burkholderia cepacia pneumonia. Meropenem 2000 mg every 8 hours was administered as a 3-hour infusion to maximize pharmacodynamic exposure; oral minocycline 100 mg twice/day was also given. Blood samples were collected to confirm meropenem concentrations.

Pharmacokinetic properties and stability of continuous-infusion meropenem in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Meropenem is commonly used to treat lung infections in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although continuous infusion is the ideal method to maximize the pharmacodynamic properties of this betalactam antibiotic, meropenem is stable for only approximately 4 to 6 hours at room temperature, and its pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, when administered by continuous infusion to patients with CF, are largely unknown.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the PK properties and stability of meropenem when administered to adults with CF by a continuous ambulatory drug-delivery infusion pump stored in a cold pouch between 2 freezer packs.

Clinical management of blunt trauma patients with unilateral rib fractures: a randomized trial.

Optimal pain management is essential in blunt trauma patients sustaining significant chest trauma. The purpose of this randomized prospective trial was to measure the difference in pulmonary function in nonintubated patients with unilateral multiple rib fractures receiving two modalities of pain relief: systemic narcotic medications alone or local anesthetics given by intrapleural catheter (IPCs). Forty-two patients were randomized to receive systemic narcotic medications or IPCs for pain control.

Developing guidelines for thrombolytic therapy.

The development and implementation of guidelines for the use of thrombolytic therapy at a 1000-bed community hospital are described. A thrombolytic therapy committee composed of two physicians, a nurse, and a pharmacist was established to develop the guidelines. The committee outlined goals for the guidelines, developed a format, and defined individual responsibilities.