In short
There is currently 1 clinical trial investigating treatment approaches for enterococcal endocarditis. This trial is exploring different methods of delivering antibiotic therapy to improve outcomes for patients with this serious heart infection.
Clinical trial locations
Study on Continuous vs. Intermittent Infusion of Ampicillin and Ceftriaxone for Patients with Enterococcus faecalis Infective Endocarditis
This clinical trial is investigating whether a continuous method of delivering antibiotics is as effective as the standard intermittent method for treating a serious heart infection caused by Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. The infection, known as infective endocarditis, affects the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves and can cause significant damage if not properly treated.
Inclusion criteria: To participate in this study, patients must be at least 18 years of age. They need to have either a possible or definitive diagnosis of infective endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis, determined using established medical guidelines known as the Duke-ISCVID criteria. Participants must provide informed consent, meaning they agree to take part in the study after understanding what it involves.
Exclusion criteria: The trial excludes patients who do not meet the age requirement or who belong to vulnerable populations that may need special protection. Patients with medical conditions not specifically mentioned in the inclusion criteria or those unable to follow the study procedures and take the medications as required cannot participate. Additionally, individuals with other health issues that could interfere with the study or make participation unsafe are excluded.
Main focus: The primary goal of this study is to compare two different methods of administering antibiotic treatment. In the continuous infusion method, the medication is delivered steadily and constantly into the bloodstream. In the intermittent infusion method, the medication is given at regular intervals. Researchers want to determine if the continuous method is at least as effective as the intermittent method in preventing the infection from coming back. The study will monitor participants throughout a treatment period lasting up to 42 days, with follow-up assessments continuing for up to one year. During this time, researchers will evaluate treatment success, disease recurrence, mortality, the need for changes in antibiotic treatment, unplanned surgeries, hospital readmissions, and any side effects from the medications.
Investigational drugs: The trial uses two antibiotics in combination. Ampicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic that works by breaking down the protective walls around bacterial cells, causing the bacteria to die. Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic that functions in a similar way by disrupting bacterial cell wall formation. Both medications are delivered directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line. The study aims to determine whether delivering these antibiotics continuously rather than at intervals improves treatment outcomes for this particular heart infection.
Summary
Currently, there is one active clinical trial for enterococcal endocarditis, taking place in Spain. This trial focuses on optimizing the delivery method of standard antibiotic therapy using ampicillin and ceftriaxone. The study specifically targets infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis, one of the bacteria commonly responsible for this type of heart infection. The research aims to provide evidence on whether continuous antibiotic infusion offers advantages over the traditional intermittent approach, potentially improving patient outcomes and simplifying treatment protocols. Patients interested in participating should consult with their healthcare providers to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria.
