{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Vancomycin Continuous Infusion in Patients Treated at Home in an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Program.
{Author}: Thijs L;Quintens C;Vander Elst L;De Munter P;Depypere M;Metsemakers WJ;Vles G;Liesenborghs A;Neefs J;Peetermans WE;Spriet I;
{Journal}: Antibiotics (Basel)
{Volume}: 11
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: May 2022 23
{Factor}: 5.222
{DOI}: 10.3390/antibiotics11050702
{Abstract}: Vancomycin is commonly used in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) of Gram-positive infections. Therapeutic drug monitoring and adverse event monitoring pose a challenge. Outcome data of vancomycin in OPAT (vOPAT) are limited. The study aim was to report the safety and efficacy of a structured vOPAT program implemented in the University Hospitals Leuven. The program provides continuous elastomeric infusion of vancomycin at home with biweekly follow-up at the outpatient clinic. Demographics, clinical, biochemical and treatment parameters, target attainment parameters and clinical outcomes were recorded. An e-survey was conducted to assess patient satisfaction. Thirty-five vOPAT episodes in 32 patients were included. During 206 follow-up consultations, 203 plasma concentration measurements were registered with a median vancomycin plasma concentration of 22.5 mg/L (range 6.6-32.0). The majority of concentrations (68.5%) were within the therapeutic range (20.0-25.0 mg/L). Adverse event rates, including drug- (5.7%) and catheter-related (5.7%) events, were low. For 32 vOPAT episodes, a clinical cure rate of 100% was observed. All patients who completed the e-survey were satisfied with their vOPAT course. These findings show that a structured vOPAT program with rigorous follow-up provides safe and effective ambulatory treatment of patients with vancomycin in continuous infusion.