Removal of vancomycin during plasmapheresis

To examine the removal of vancomycin during plasmapheresis, determine whether drug administration should be withheld prior to or a supplemental dose given after the procedure, and determine whether a redistribution phenomenon in vancomycin serum concentrations occurs after plasmapheresis.

Prospective, cohort study.

An 800-bed, tertiary-care, teaching hospital.

Twelve patients receiving vancomycin as prescribed who were also undergoing therapeutic plasmapheresis.

Blood samples for determination of vancomycin concentrations were obtained from each patient immediately before, during, immediately after, and 2 hours after plasmapheresis. Vancomycin concentration in plasma removed by plasmapheresis and volume of plasma removed were measured. Patient-specific pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for each patient using serum concentration data and a one-compartment model. Percent of drug removed by plasmapheresis and percent increase in vancomycin total clearance secondary to plasmapheresis were calculated.

A mean of 6.3% of the total body store of vancomycin was removed by plasmapheresis. Vancomycin clearance during plasmapheresis averaged 1.6 L/h, which was an average increase of 285% in the total clearance of vancomycin from the body. Nine of 10 patients had a higher observed vancomycin concentration 2 hours after plasmapheresis than that predicted by degrading the concentration observed immediately after the procedure, suggesting that redistribution in serum concentrations occurs after the procedure.

A single one-volume plasmapheresis does not remove a clinically important amount of vancomycin; therefore, supplemental dosing after the procedure is not necessary. A redistribution phenomenon in vancomycin concentrations appears to exist after plasmapheresis. Further study is needed to determine how long the redistribution phase lasts and when vancomycin concentrations should be measured after plasmapheresis.