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Hemodialysis of amikacin in critically ill patients

D K Armstrong1, T Hodgman, J A Visconti

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Ohio State University Hospitals, Columbus.

Insights

Amikacin clearance significantly increases during hemodialysis (HD), but the total amount removed is small. Routine supplemental dosing after HD may not be necessary for critically ill patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Nephrology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic commonly used in critically ill patients.
  • Aminoglycoside dosing requires careful consideration in patients with impaired renal function or undergoing renal replacement therapy.
  • Hemodialysis (HD) can significantly alter drug clearance, necessitating an understanding of its impact on amikacin levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify amikacin clearance during hemodialysis in critically ill patients.
  • To determine the impact of hemodialysis on serum amikacin concentrations.
  • To evaluate the necessity of supplemental amikacin dosing after hemodialysis.

Main Methods:

  • Eight critically ill patients receiving amikacin were studied.
  • Amikacin serum concentrations were measured before and after hemodialysis.
  • Amikacin clearance was calculated during the interdialysis period and during hemodialysis (average 3.4 h, 200 ml/min blood flow).

Main Results:

  • Amikacin clearance increased from 7.30 ml/min between dialysis sessions to 37.5 ml/min during dialysis.
  • Serum amikacin concentrations decreased by an average of 27% after a dialysis session.
  • The fraction of amikacin removed solely by dialysis averaged 21%.

Conclusions:

  • Amikacin is cleared more effectively during hemodialysis compared to the interdialysis period.
  • The overall amount of amikacin removed by hemodialysis is relatively small.
  • Routine supplemental amikacin dosing after hemodialysis may not be required in critically ill patients.

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