<b>Optimal Aminoglycoside Therapy Following the Sepsis: How Much Is Too Much?</b>

Abstract

Severe sepsis and septic shock are major problems as the result of high rates morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). In the presence of septic shock, each hour of delay in the administration of effective antibiotics is associated with a measurable increase in mortality. Aminoglycosides are effective broad-spectrum antibiotics that are commonly used in ICUs for the treatment of life-threatening Gram-negative infections and as a part of empiric therapy for severe sepsis and septic shock. Knowledge of the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of the antibiotics used for the management of critically ill patients is essential for selecting the antibiotic dosing regimens and improving patient outcome.