BALANCE+

BALANCE+ is a perpetual platform trial to answer multiple questions that are important for patients with the most common kind of bloodstream infections – caused by “Gram negative” bacteria. This trial provides a platform upon which to answer three questions looking at best ways to ‘de-escalate’ and ‘step-down’ antibiotic treatment (going from a broad to more specific antibiotic). We will answer the question about what to do when the infection is caused by bacteria on an intravenous catheter – should we remove and replace the catheter or just treat with antibiotics. We will also answer some key antibiotic selection controversies for some difficult to treat pathogens. As each question is answered, optimal therapies will be adopted into usual care, and new questions will be introduced into the platform of the trial. The evidence generated by BALANCE+ will improve cures for this vulnerable patient population while decreasing potential harms from using too many antibiotics for too long.

• BALANCE+ Protocol (April 25, 2023)
• BALANCE+ Synopsis

BALANCE+ is part of the larger BALANCE Research Program. For more information, visit the BALANCE Research Program page.