Dose Optimization of Vancomycin for Critically Ill Patients Undergoing CVVH: A Prospective Population PK/PD Analysis

The optimal dose of vancomycin in critically ill patients receiving continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to identify factors that significantly affect pharmacokinetic profiles and to further investigate the optimal dosage regimens for critically ill patients undergoing CVVH based on population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic analysis. A prospective population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed at the surgical intensive care unit in a level A tertiary hospital. We included 11 critically ill patients undergoing CVVH and receiving intravenous vancomycin. Serial blood samples were collected from each patient, with a total of 131 vancomycin concentrations analyzed. Nonlinear mixed effects models were developed using NONMEM software. Monte Carlo Simulation was used to optimize vancomycin dosage regimens. A two-compartment model with first-order elimination was sufficient to characterize vancomycin pharmacokinetics for CVVH patients. The population typical vancomycin clearance (CL) was 1.15 L/h and the central volume of distribution was 16.9 L. CL was significantly correlated with ultrafiltration rate (UFR) and albumin level. For patients with normal albumin and UFR between 20 and 35 mL/kg/h, the recommended dosage regimen was 10 mg/kg qd. When UFR was between 35 and 40 mL/kg/h, the recommended dosage regimen was 5 mg/kg q8h. For patients with hypoalbuminemia and UFR between 20 and 25 mL/kg/h, the recommended dosage regimen was 5 mg/kg q8h. When UFR was between 25 and 40 mL/kg/h, the recommended dosage regimen was 10 mg/kg q12h. We recommend clinicians choosing the optimal initial vancomycin dosage regimens for critically ill patients undergoing CVVH based on these two covariates.