Antibiotic Guidance in Acute Heart Failure (AHF)

Application of B·R·A·H·M·S PCT-guided algorithm could improve outcome

B·R·A·H·M·S PCT (Procalcitonin) level >0.25 μg/L is indicative of infection and antibiotic treatment is recommended in patients with dyspnea

Secondary analysis of 233 patients with a history of Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), formerly included in a multicenter randomized-controlled trial, to compare antibiotic guidance with and without PCT algorithm. In 110 patients with low initial PCT value (<0.25 μg/L)

  • 30 day adverse outcome was significantly decreased (-16%) in PCT-guided group
  • Significant reduction of antibiotic exposure in PCT-guided group (-2.8 days)

Time to the first adverse outcome by randomization group in patients with low initial PCT levels (<0.25 μg/L); adverse outcome included all-cause mortality or ICU admission Time to the first adverse outcome by randomization group in patients with low initial PCT levels (<0.25 μg/L); adverse outcome included all-cause mortality or intensive care unit (ICU) admission Ref-1

References Antibiotic Guidance in Acute Heart Failure (AHF)

Ref-1: Schuetz et al., Int J Cardiol 2014; 175: 464-72

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