Prophylaxis with Ertapenem in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: Safety, Efficacy, and Biliary Penetration.
South Med J. 2011 Feb 3;
Authors: Sharara AI, El Hajj II, Mroueh M, Kyriacos SB, Abdul-Baki H, Chaar HF, Aoun E, Hashash JG, Mansour NM, Kanj SS
BACKGROUND:: Cholangitis and biliary sepsis are rare but serious complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study is to investigate the safety, efficacy, and biliary penetration of ertapenem, a newer carbapenem with a long half-life and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, for ERCP prophylaxis. METHODS:: Patients with obstructive jaundice without cholangitis received a single dose of ertapenem equal to 1 gram intravenously prior to ERCP. A 2-3 mL bile sample was collected after cannulation and prior to contrast injection. Patients were observed for 72 hours for cholangitis or drug-related adverse events. Biliary ertapenem levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS:: Twenty-eight patients (ages 18-87 years, M/F ratio 1:1) were enrolled. Seven had no cholestasis and were included to study ertapenem penetration in unobstructed biliary trees. Cannulation was achieved in all patients. One patient (3.6%) with persistent intrahepatic stones developed cholangitis. No drug-related adverse events were noted. The mean time from ertapenem administration to bile collection was 60 ± 24 minutes. There was a significant negative correlation between serum bilirubin and biliary ertapenem levels (r = -0.542, P = 0.003) with the highest level (6.25 ?g/mL) noted in unobstructed biliary systems. CONCLUSION:: Ertapenem appears to be a safe and effective prophylaxis in patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing ERCP despite a limited biliary penetration in patients with high-grade obstruction.
PMID: 21297547 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]