title: Continuous infusion of ceftazidime in critically ill patients undergoing continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration: pharmacokinetic evaluation and dose recommendation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In seriously infected patients with acute renal failure and who require continuous renal replacement therapy, data on continuous infusion of ceftazidime are lacking. Here we analyzed the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime administered by continuous infusion in critically ill patients during continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in order to identify the optimal dosage in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven critically ill patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. CVVHDF was performed using a 0.6 m2 AN69 high-flux membrane and with blood, dialysate and ultrafiltration flow rates of 150 ml/min, 1 l/hour and 1.5 l/hour, respectively. Based on a predicted haemodiafiltration clearance of 32.5 ml/min, all patients received a 2 g loading dose of ceftazidime, followed by a 3 g/day continuous infusion for 72 hours. Serum samples were collected at 0, 3, 15 and 30 minutes and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours; dialysate/ultrafiltrate samples were taken at 2, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Ceftazidime concentrations in serum and dialysate/ultrafiltrate were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (+/- standard deviation) elimination half-life, volume of distribution, area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to 72 hours, and total clearance of ceftazidime were 4 +/- 1 hours, 19 +/- 6 l, 2514 +/- 212 mg/h per l, and 62 +/- 5 ml/min, respectively. The mean serum ceftazidime steady-state concentration was 33.5 mg/l (range 28.8-36.3 mg/l). CVVHDF effectively removed continuously infused ceftazidime, with a sieving coefficient and haemodiafiltration clearance of 0.81 +/- 0.11 and 33.6 +/- 4 mg/l, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that a dosing regimen of 3 g/day ceftazidime, by continuous infusion, following a 2 g loading dose, results in serum concentrations more than four times the minimum inhibitory concentration for all susceptible pathogens, and we recommend this regimen in critically ill patients undergoing CVVHDF.
authors.affiliation: Service de Néphrologie, Hôpital Nord, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France. christophe.mariat@univ-st-etienne.fr
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariat
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Venet
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jehl
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mwewa
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lazarevic
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diconne
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fonsale
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carricajo
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guyomarc'h
authors.forename: Régine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vermesch
authors.forename: Gérald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.forename: Roselyne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bidault
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zeni
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016638:Critical Illness; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D017583:Hemodiafiltration; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D002442:Ceftazidime