Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
09:31

Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography

Published on: January 27, 2023

The pharmacokinetics of captopril in infants with congestive heart failure

C M Pereira1, Y K Tam, R L Collins-Nakai

  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
|May 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Captopril pharmacokinetics in infants with congestive heart failure (CHF) were studied. Results show parameters are similar to adults, and acute hemodynamic effects are beneficial, supporting its use in pediatric CHF.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) treatment in infants often lacks specific pharmacokinetic data for drugs like captopril.
  • Empirical use of captopril in pediatric CHF necessitates understanding its drug behavior in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine standard pharmacokinetic parameters of captopril in infants with CHF.
  • To evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of captopril in infants with CHF.

Main Methods:

  • 10 infants (mean age 6.8 months) with CHF received oral captopril (1 mg/kg).
  • Plasma concentrations of unchanged and total captopril were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.
  • Hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure, resistance, heart rate, respiratory rate) were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Pharmacokinetic parameters for unchanged captopril: Cmax 350 ng/ml, Tmax 1.6 h, t1/2 3.3 h, Clo 1.1 L/h/kg.
  • Pharmacokinetic parameters for total captopril: Cmax 1,088 ng/ml, Tmax 2.7 h, t1/2 3.4 h.
  • Significant decreases in arterial pressure, systemic/pulmonary resistance, heart rate, and respiratory rate were observed 1 hour post-dose.

Conclusions:

  • Captopril pharmacokinetic parameters in infants with CHF are comparable to those reported in adults.
  • The acute hemodynamic improvements suggest captopril is beneficial for infants experiencing CHF.

More Related Videos

Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mechanically Ventilated Piglets07:41

Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mechanically Ventilated Piglets

Published on: September 13, 2022

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...