Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Efficacy And Safety Of Vancomycin Loading Doses In Critically Ill Patients With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection, Alexander H. Flannery, Katie L. Wallace, Christian N. Rhudy, Allison S. Olmsted, Rachel C. Minrath, Stuart M. Pope, Aaron M. Cook, David S. Burgess, Peter E. Morris

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Background: While vancomycin loading doses may facilitate earlier pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic target attainment, the impact of loading doses on clinical outcomes remains understudied. Critically ill patients are at highest risk of morbidity and mortality from methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and hypothesized to most likely benefit from a loading dose. We sought to determine the association between receipt of a vancomycin loading dose and clinical outcomes in a cohort of critically ill adults.

Methods: Four hundred and forty-nine critically ill patients with MRSA cultures isolated from blood or respiratory specimens were eligible for the study. Cohorts were established by receipt of …