Carbenicillin in acute renal failure.

Three septicaemic patients with acute renal failure required carbenicillin. Septicaemia was caused by Pseudomonas in 2 patients and by Serratia marcescens in the third. Therapy in the first 2 patients was complicated by massive gastro-intestinal and uterine bleeding. Septicaemia in the third patient was initially uncontrolled owing to inadequate serum levels of carbenicillin, despite increased dosage as renal function improved. The problems and indications for the use of carbenicillin in renal failure are discussed and the possible relationship to bleeding diathesis is considered.