β-lactam antibiotics to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in coma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of parenteral β-lactam antibiotics on outcomes related to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in adult patients in coma due to acute brain injury (ABI).
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up toSeptember 30, 2024.
PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS
Adult patients in coma due to ABI.
INTERVENTIONS
Parenteral β-lactam antibiotics.
MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST
Incidence and outcomes related to VAP.
RESULTS
Three RCTs involving 483 patients met inclusion criteria; 231 patients received β-lactam prophylaxis. Among these, there were 115 cases of early-onset VAP (EO-VAP), 49 of late-onset VAP (LO-VAP), and 102 deaths. All studies were conducted in Europe. Causes of coma included trauma, stroke, and CO poisoning. Intravenous β-lactams (ampicillin/sulbactam, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone) reduced EO-VAP risk by 57% (RR 0.43; 95% CI 0.30-0.61), and all-VAP by 35% (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.53-0.80). No impact was observed on LO-VAP (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.54-1.67), 28-day mortality (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.53-1.09), intubation duration (SMD -0.13; 95% CI -0.46-0.21), or ICU length of stay (SMD -0.22; 95% CI -0.55-0.12). Heterogeneity and the risk of bias were low, with high overall evidence certainty.
CONCLUSIONS
In adult patients in coma due to ABI, intravenous β-lactam antibiotics reduce EO-VAP and all-VAP risk.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 483 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 associated with proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching
- Levofloxacin-Induced Tendon Rupture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
- Association between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections in the first 6 months of age in a Korean population: a birth cohort study (COCOA)
- Neuroprotective Effects of Epicatechin against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Quality evaluation and in vitro interaction studies between levofloxacin 250mg and diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets
- Molecular Epidemiology of mcr-1 -Positive Polymyxin B-Resistant Escherichia coli Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) in a Tertiary Hospital in Shandong, China
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.