A combination of cefuroxime plus acetylcysteine in the intensive care of patients with respiratory insufficiency.

Thirty patients admitted to our Intensive Care Unit for respiratory insufficiency attributable to a variety of disease conditions were treated with a combination of cefuroxime plus acetylcysteine. Clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated, and bacteriological tests were performed on tracheal aspirate. At the end of treatment, 12 patients were judged to be recovered, 14 improved and 4 unchanged. No side effects were observed.