Elimination of cefuroxime and gentamicin during and after open heart surgery

In eight consecutive adult heart surgery patients, serum concentrations of cefuroxime and gentamicin were studied during and after operation. Repeated doses of cefuroxime 1.5 g and gentamicin 80 mg were given. Intra-operative concentrations were deemed adequate (cefuroxime Cmin: 16-45 mg/l, gentamicin Cmin: 1.6-2.8 mg/l), and no differences (P = 0.05) could be demonstrated between elimination rates during and after open heart operation (cefuroxime T1/2 101 vs 111 min, gentamicin T1/2 191 vs 193 min).