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Gentamycin in cardiac surgery
Abstract:
Gentamycin concentration in the serum, pericardial fluid, auricle, valve and papillary muscles of 14 patients subjected to cardiac surgery was determined after intramuscular administration of 80 mg of the drug. Fifty to 140 minutes after administration the mean level in the serum was 6.0 mcg/ml, in the pericardial fluid 0.6 mcg/ml, in the auricle 5.8 mcg/g, while after 120 to 240 minutes in the valve 1.2--9.6 mcg/g and in the papillary muscles 2.0--3.6 mcg/g of gentamycin was measured. Consequently, an efficacious gentamycin concentration can be achieved in the cardiac tissues but not in the pericardial fluid which makes gentamycin excellently suited for the prevention and treatment of the infectious complications of heart operations.
Insights
Intramuscular gentamicin achieves effective concentrations in cardiac tissues for preventing surgical infections. However, levels in pericardial fluid are insufficient, indicating limited utility for fluid-based infections post-cardiac surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infectious Disease Prevention
Background:
- Cardiac surgery carries a risk of infectious complications.
- Gentamicin is a commonly used antibiotic for surgical prophylaxis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine gentamicin concentrations in cardiac tissues and fluids after intramuscular administration.
- To evaluate the suitability of gentamicin for preventing cardiac surgical site infections.
Main Methods:
- Intramuscular administration of 80 mg gentamicin to 14 cardiac surgery patients.
- Measurement of gentamicin levels in serum, pericardial fluid, auricle, valve, and papillary muscles at various time points.
- Pharmacokinetic analysis of drug distribution.
Main Results:
- Mean serum gentamicin levels ranged from 6.0 mcg/ml.
- Mean pericardial fluid gentamicin levels were 0.6 mcg/ml.
- Cardiac tissue concentrations (auricle, valve, papillary muscles) reached efficacious levels (5.8 mcg/g to 9.6 mcg/g) within 50-240 minutes post-administration.
Conclusions:
- Intramuscular gentamicin achieves therapeutic concentrations in cardiac tissues, supporting its use for preventing endocardial or myocardial infections.
- Low concentrations in pericardial fluid suggest limited efficacy against infections involving this specific space.
- Gentamicin is well-suited for preventing infectious complications directly affecting cardiac tissues after surgery.