Abstract
IntroductionThe response to exogenous epinephrine (Ep) is difficult to predict given the multitude of factors involved such as broad pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic between-subject variabilities, which may be more pronounced in children. We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Ep, co-administered with milrinone, in children who underwent open heart surgical repair for congenital defects following cardiopulmonary bypass, including associated variability factors.MethodsThirty-nine children with a high risk of low cardiac output syndrome were prospectively enrolled. Ep pharmacokinetics, hemodynamic and metabolic effects were analyzed using the non-linear mixed effects modeling software MONOLIX. According to the final model, an Ep dosing simulation was suggested.ResultsEp dosing infusions ranged from 0.01 to 0.23 μg.kg-1.min-1 in children whose weight ranged from 2.5 to 58 kg. A one-compartment open model with linear elimination adequately described the Ep concentration-time courses. Bodyweight (BW) was the main covariate influencing clearance (CL) and endogenous Ep production rate (q0) via an allometric relationship: CL(BWi) = θCL x (BWi)3/4 and q0(BWi) = θq0 x (BWi )3/4. The increase in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) as a function of Ep concentration were well described using an Emax model. The effect of age was significant on HR and MAP basal level parameters. Assuming that Ep stimulated the production rate of plasma glucose, the increases in plasma glucose and lactate levels were well described by turnover models without any significant effect of age, BW or exogenous glucose supply.ConclusionsAccording to this population analysis, the developmental effects of BW and age explained a part of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics between-subject variabilities of Ep administration in critically ill children. This approach ultimately leads to a valuable Ep dosing simulation which should help clinicians to determine an appropriate a priori dosing regimen.
Highlights
The response to exogenous epinephrine (Ep) is difficult to predict given the multitude of factors involved such as broad pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic between-subject variabilities, which may be more pronounced in children
Fisher et al suggested linear pharmacokinetics with a lower clearance than that reported in healthy adults, only six children were included in their study and neither inter-patient variability nor pharmacodynamic effects were described [5]
Chromosomal disorders were reported in eight children (n = 3 with Down syndrome, n = 1 with di George syndrome, n = 1 with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and n = 1 with Noonan syndrome n = 2 with suspected Noonan syndrome)
Summary
The response to exogenous epinephrine (Ep) is difficult to predict given the multitude of factors involved such as broad pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic between-subject variabilities, which may be more pronounced in children. The amplitude of the hemodynamic response to Ep is difficult to predict given the multitude of factors involved and clinical experience suggests broad between-subject variability. This hemodynamic response is primarily dependent on Ep concentrations. A recent adult study using population pharmacokinetic modeling highlighted the influence of bodyweight (BW) and disease severity on Ep clearance confirming this variability [6] These between-subject disparities may be even more pronounced in children
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