Table 3.
Results of meta-analysis for primary and secondary outcomes of attaining aggressive vs. conservative PK/PD targets of beta-lactams in critically ill patients
| Outcome | Studies | PK/PD target assessed | No. of patients (Aggressive vs. conservative PK/PD targets) | Odds ratio (95% CI) | Heterogeneity (I2; p value) | Publication bias (p value Egger’s test) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical cure | 8 |
100%fT>4–5 x MIC fCss/MIC > 4–5 |
701 vs. 1172 |
1.69 (1.15–2.49) p = 0.007 |
73.8% p = 0.004 |
0.10 |
| Microbiological failure | 3 | fCss/MIC < 4–5 | 175 vs. 42 |
26.08 (8.72–77.95) p < 0.001 |
0.0% p = 0.66 |
0.73 |
| Resistance occurrence | 3 |
100%fT>4–5 x MIC fCss/MIC > 4–5 |
269 vs. 96 |
0.06 (0.01–0.29) p < 0.001 |
69.7% p = 0.04 |
0.62 |
| Mortality rate | 2 | 100%fT>4 x MIC | 269 vs. 150 |
0.82 (0.36–1.85) p = 0.63 |
58.9% p = 0.12 |
NA |
| Survival rate | 3 | 100%fT>4–5 x MIC | 313 vs. 759 |
1.15 (0.50–2.66) p = 0.75 |
66.2% p = 0.05 |
0.33 |
CI confidence interval, Css steady-state concentration, MIC minimum inhibitory concentration, NA not applicable, PK/PD pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic