Elimination of vancomycin during hemofiltration

The study was designed to establish guidelines for vancomycin treatment of patients with acute renal failure undergoing hemofiltration. During 27 hemofiltration treatments in four anuric patients requiring daily consecutive hemofiltration therapy, plasma levels and elimination rates of vancomycin were measured. Regression analysis of the initial vancomycin concentration versus the total amount of vancomycin eliminated showed a clear linear relationship (r = 0.91), thus permitting prediction of the total elimination via hemofiltration by measurement of the initial plasma concentration. Applying these calculations the dosage in patients undergoing hemofiltration can be determined by monitoring the initial plasma concentration. The findings also indicate that hemofiltration is an effective method for treatment of vancomycin intoxication.