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The pharmacokinetics of esmolol in pediatric subjects with supraventricular arrhythmias

Peter C Adamson1, Larry A Rhodes, J Philip Saul

  • 1Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, ARC 916, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. adamsonp@mail.med.upenn.edu

Pediatric Cardiology
|July 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study analyzed esmolol pharmacokinetics in children with supraventricular arrhythmias (SVT). Esmolol demonstrated rapid clearance and short half-lives, similar to adults, effectively terminating SVT in most pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Esmolol is crucial for managing pediatric arrhythmias and hypertension.
  • Limited pharmacokinetic data exists for esmolol in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the pharmacokinetics of esmolol in children with supraventricular arrhythmias (SVT).
  • To compare pediatric esmolol pharmacokinetics and efficacy to adult data.

Main Methods:

  • Stratified pediatric subjects (2-11 and 12-16 years) with SVT.
  • Administered esmolol via bolus and infusion.
  • Quantified plasma esmolol concentrations using LC/MS assay.

Main Results:

  • Esmolol exhibited rapid distribution (0.6 min) and elimination (6.9 min) half-lives.
  • High clearance (119 ± 51 mL/min/kg) was independent of age or weight.
  • Sixty-three percent of subjects converted to normal sinus rhythm within 2 minutes.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric esmolol pharmacokinetics are comparable to adult values.
  • Esmolol is effective in terminating SVT in children.
  • Further research can optimize pediatric antiarrhythmic therapy.

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