Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusventilator-associated pneumonia with high-dose vancomycin or linezolid

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical cure rate of high-dose vancomycin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill trauma patients. Recent trials suggest that a traditional dose of 1 g q12 hours results in unacceptable cure rates for MRSA VAP. Thus, more aggressive vancomycin dosing has the potential to improve efficacy. Based on pharmacokinetic principles, the goal initial dose at the study center has been 20 mgkg q12 hours or q8 hours since the 1990s.