Are Long Term Prophylactic Antibiotics Useful With Antibiotic Impregnated External Ventricular Drains (EVDs)?
The length of prophylactic antibiotic use with antibiotic impregnated External Ventricular Drains (EVD)s is unknown. This study is a randomized clinical trial with two arms: 1. twenty four hours of prophylactic antibiotic use or 2. prophylactic antibiotic use for entire duration of EVD
• patients over the age of 18 years and patients diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage or acute ischemic stroke who require an EVD for management of their underlying condition.
• In certain cases (a small minority), an EVD must be replaced due to failure (i.e.; blood clot interrupting flow). In such cases, patients will be re-dosed with antibiotics prior to catheter exchange in typical fashion, and continue in their previously randomized treatment group.