Table 1 Characteristics of included studies

Monti¹⁵

(2023)

Multicenter June 2018 to August 2022

303/195 65.5 ± 14.0

304/209 63.4 ± 15.0

Sepsis-3, traditional definitions

Meropenem

Yes

3 g over 24 h, continuous

1 g every 8 h, over 30 to 60 min

Mirjalili¹⁴

(2023)

Two centers August 2019 to August 2021

68/37 53.82 ± 15.82

68/38 53.10 ± 16.22

NA

Ampicillin–sulbactam

Yes

9 g every 8 h, over 4 h

9 g every 8 h, over 30 min

Zhao²⁸

(2017)

Single center June 2012 to December 2014

25/10 68.0 ± 15.4

25/11 67.0 ± 12.2

Sepsis-2

Meropenem

Yes

3 g over 24 h, continuous

1 g every 8 h, over 30 min

Abdul-Aziz²⁰

(2016)

Two centers April 2013 to July 2014

70/46 54 (42–63)

70/50 56 (41–68)

Sepsis-2

Meropenem, piperacillin–tazobactam, cefepime

Yes

3 g over 24 h, 18 g over 24 h, 6 g over 24 h, continuous

1 g every 8 h, 4.5 g every 6 h, 2 g every 8 h, over 30 min

Dulhunty²⁵

(2015)

Multicenter July 2012 to April 2014

212/130 64 (54–72)

220/135 65 (53–72)

Sepsis-2

Meropenem, piperacillin–tazobactam, ticarcillin–clavulanate

Yes

3 g over 24 h, 13.5 g over 24 h, 12.4 g over 24 h, continuous

1 g every 8 h, 4.5 g every 8 h, 3.1 g every 6 h, over 30 min

Dulhunty²⁴

(2013)

Multicenter April 2010 to November 2011

30/23 54 ± 19

30/19 60 ± 19

Sepsis-2

Meropenem, piperacillin–tazobactam, ticarcillin–clavulanate

No

Continuous, clinician-chosen

Bolus, clinician-chosen

Chytra²³

(2012)

Single center September 2007 to May 2010

120/78 44.9 ± 17.8

120/83 47.2 ± 16.3

Sepsis-2

Meropenem

Yes

4 g over 24 h, continuous

2 g every 8 h, over 30 min

Roberts²⁷

(2007)

Single center NA

29/16 43 ± 19

28/17 52 ± 16

SIRS criteria

Ceftriaxone

Yes

2 g over 24 h, continuous

2 g every 24 h, bolus

Rafati²⁶

(2006)

Single center October 2003 to March 2004

20/12 50.1 ± 22.2

20/15 48.0 ± 20.7

Sepsis-2

Piperacillin

Yes

8 g over 24 h, continuous

3 g every 6 h, over 30 min