Intradialytic administration of amphotericin B: clinical observations on efficacy and safety

Amphotericin B is used commonly to treat fungal infections. Unfortunately, little information exists regarding the use of intravenous amphotericin B in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of patients receiving amphotericin B during hemodialysis (HD). Twenty-five episodes of systemic fungal infection occurring in 24 patients with ESRD treated with parenteral amphotericin B administered during HD were noted. Patients received a maintenance dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg amphotericin B intravenously thrice weekly during HD sessions. Twenty-three patients received either 500 or 1000 mg of amphotericin B, whereas 1 patient with AIDS received a total of 6,500 mg.

Intradialytic hypotension developed in 27.7% of HD sessions during treatment with amphotericin B compared with 28.8% of 20 HD sessions evaluated before initiation of amphotericin B therapy. Four patients exhibited a temperature rise greater than 38.8 degrees C during drug infusion (1 episode per patient). Increases in heart rate and ventricular ectopy were rare. Serum potassium concentrations as well as Kt/V and urea reduction ratio did not change significantly. All patients (except the patient with AIDS) resolved their respective fungal infections.

Intradialytic administration of amphotericin B was generally well tolerated. Our observations suggest that amphotericin B is effective and safe for outpatient intradialytic therapy when administered according to protocol.