title: Confirmation of a computer-derived nomogram to predict gentamicin serum concentrations in postsurgical patients.
abstract: The applicability of a previously reported nomogram to predict serum gentamicin levels in postsurgical patients was investigated. Seventeen patients accounting for 20 courses of gentamicin were studied. A total of 72 peak serum gentamicin levels were measured by a microbiological assay and compared with predicted serum levels determined by the dosing nomogram. Eighty-five percent of the measured peak gentamicin serum levels agreed with nomogram-predicted levels. This figure was reduced to 65% when certain unforeseen factors (i.e., patient interference with intravenous lines, dosage miscalculation and extra routes of gentamicin elimination) were identified. The nomogram is a particularly useful tool for the clinician to whom serum gentamicin levels are unavailable and who needs a method to predict serum gentamicin concentration based upon a given dosage.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003201:Computers; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins