[Pharmacokinetics of anti-infective agents in continuous hemofiltration]

NEW ASSIST TECHNIQUES: Continuous hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration are two new renal replacement techniques offering continuous electrolyte regulation and hemodynamic stability in patients with multiple organ failure. These continuous techniques are being used more and more in intensive care, especially as renal replacement in case of septic shock, and probably have the additional benefit of removing toxins. EFFECT ON ANTIMICROBIALS: Little is known about the removal of drugs and in particular antimicrobials during continuous hemofiltration although both the specific pharmacokinetics of each drug and the patient's particular clinical situation plays an important role. DRUG DOSING: In the intensive care unit, knowledge of the effect of continuous hemofiltration on drug removal and pharmacokinetic profile is crucial for practical management due to the importance of avoiding infratherapeutic serum levels, or inversely toxic levels, in these seriously ill patients. Titration equations provided in most of the recent articles are helpful but usually based on a large number of parameters not always easily available in clinical practice. An approximation of the dose can be estimated from dosing guides for continuous dialysis which can be useful in avoiding poorly adapted dosage.