[Echinocandins in a critically ill patient during continuous venovenous renal replacement].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Critically ill patients with invasive candidiasis (IC) often suffer renal failure, which sometimes requires continuous renal replacement techniques (CRRT). Echinocandins are the first line treatment for IC in critically ill patients with mild or severe illness. Their elimination during CRRT should be negligible due to their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile, and dose adjustment are not needed, as suggested by the few reported clinical studies.

CLINICAL CASE:

This is the case of a 66 year old male who underwent surgery due to peritonitis secondary to intestinal suture dehiscence. The patient was admitted to ICU with septic shock symptoms and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and CRRT was started. Anidulafungin was prescribed at the usual dosage due to the IC risk factors present, and the observation of yeasts in the peritoneal fluid. Anidulafungin was selected due to the hepatic failure suffered by the patient. An isolate of Candida albicans susceptible to fluconazole was cultured from peritoneal fluid and rectal exudates. However, anidulafungin was maintained due to the MODS and observing the clearance of fluconazole during CRRT. The patient's condition improved favourably, being moved to the surgical ward 20 days after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

Echinocandins, due to their PK/PD profile, could be safely given at usual doses to critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. However, new studies are required to strengthen this recommendation. Its extrahepatic metabolism makes anidulafungin a more attractive option among echinocandins and other antifungals when used in patients with different degrees of hepatic failure.

• Authors: Gerardo Aguilar, José Antonio Carbonell, Carlos Ferrando, Rafael Badenes, Francisco Javier Belda
• Journal: Revista iberoamericana de micologia (Rev Iberoam Micol) 2012 Apr-Jun Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 85-9 ISSN: 2173-9188 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Tratamiento con equinocandinas en un paciente crítico sometido a técnica continua de reemplazo renal.
• PMID: 22463783 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Revista Iberoamericana de Micología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Echinocandins

Topics

• Aged
• Candidiasis, Invasive (drug therapy)
• Critical Illness
• Echinocandins (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Renal Replacement Therapy (methods)