Analysis of the efficacy and safety of meropenem combined with mechanical ventilation in the treatment of elderly patients with severe pneumonia

LI Zhenghong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2096-2525.2025.03.009

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of meropenem combined with mechanical ventilation in the treatment of elderly patients with severe pneumonia.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 214 patients with severe pneumonia admitted to our hospital from June 2020 to September 2024.According to the treatment methods,they were divided into control group(meropenem infusion for 2 h combined with mechanical ventilation)and study group(meropenem infusion for 4 h combined with mechanical ventilation).The therapeutic efficacy,improvement of symptoms and signs,arterial blood gas indicators,inflammatory factors,and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared.Results:The total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The time for fever reduction and sputum color change in the study group was shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2)in the study group was lower than that in the control group,while the arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),blood oxygen saturation(SaO2)and pH were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),and procalcitonin(PCT)and C-reactive protein(CRP)in the study group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The combination of meropenem and mechanical ventilation is effective in treating severe pneumonia in the elderly.It can promote the resolution of symptoms and signs,improve arterial blood gas indicators,inhibit inflammatory reactions,and has high safety.Among them,meropenem infusion for 4 h has a better effect.