British journal of clinical pharmacology
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Jun 2018
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexmedetomidine-induced vasoconstriction in healthy volunteers.
Alpha-2 agonists are direct peripheral vasoconstrictors, which achieve these effects by activating vascular smooth muscle alpha-2 adrenoceptors. The impact of this response during dexmedetomidine infusion remains poorly quantified. Our goal was to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD, vasoconstriction) effects of a computer-controlled dexmedetomidine infusion in healthy volunteers. ⋯ We found that dexmedetomidine-induced vasoconstriction is concentration dependent over time. Dexmedetomidine PK were best estimated by a three-compartment model with allometric scaling. Our results may contribute to future modelling of dexmedetomidine-induced haemodynamic effects.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Apr 2018
Impact of antimicrobial stewardship programme on hospitalized patients at the intensive care unit: a prospective audit and feedback study.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the most important factors contributing to the emergence of drug resistant pathogens. The purpose of this study was to measure the clinical impact of antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) interventions on hospitalized patients at the Intensive care unit at Palestinian Medical Complex. ⋯ Our prospective audit and feedback programme was associated with positive impact on antimicrobial use, duration of therapy and length of stay.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Apr 2018
Fixed dosing of intravenous tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis. Results from a population pharmacokinetic analysis.
Intravenous tocilizumab is currently dosed on body weight, although a weak correlation between body weight and clearance has been described. The aim of the study was to assess the current dosing strategy and provide a scientific rational for dosing using a modelling and simulation approach. ⋯ Our study provides evidence to support fixed dosing of intravenous tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis patients since it reduces variability in tocilizumab exposure among weight categories compared to the current weight-based dosing approach.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Apr 2018
Comparative StudyCardiac output changes after osmotic therapy in neurosurgical and neurocritical care patients: a systematic review of the clinical literature.
Osmotherapy constitutes a first-line intervention for intracranial hypertension management. However, hyperosmolar solutes exert various systematic effects, among which their impact on systemic haemodynamics is poorly clarified. This review aims to appraise the clinical evidence of the effect of mannitol and hypertonic saline (HTS) on cardiac performance in neurosurgical and neurocritical care patients. ⋯ Mannitol or HTS administration seems to induce an enhancement of cardiac performance; being more prominent after HTS infusion. This effect combined with mannitol-induced enhancement of diuresis and HTS-promoted increase of plasma sodium concentration could partially explain the effects of osmotherapy on cerebral haemodynamics.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Feb 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialIs tranexamic acid exposure related to blood loss in hip arthroplasty? A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study.
Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent, decreasing blood loss in hip arthroplasty. The present study investigated the relationship between TXA exposure markers, including the time above the in vitro threshold reported for inhibition of fibrinolysis (10 mg l-1 ), and perioperative blood loss. ⋯ In hip arthroplasty, TXA plasma concentrations were maintained above 10 mg l-1 during surgery and for a minimum of 3 h with a preoperative TXA dose of 1 g. Keeping TXA concentrations above this threshold up to 16 h conferred no advantage with regard to blood loss.