Pharmacokinetics of Cefuroxime in Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Overview

Infection, especially mediastinitis, is major complication in cardiac surgery. Considering that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can alter kinetics of drugs, including antibiotics, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB) on plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime, administered prophylactically, in a 1.5g dose, followed by three bolus of 750mg every 6 hours, for 24 hours, in 19 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with CPB (CPB Group, n = 10), or without CPB (Off-Pump Group, n = 9); and assess whether the proposed dosing regimen is adequate to maintain plasma concentrations above 16 g/L (4 times the MIC) for the first 24 hours after the beginning of surgery.

In cardiac surgery, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass may alter the kinetics and plasma concentration of drugs, including antibiotics. On the other hand, infection of the surgical field and/or mediastinitis are serious complications of cardiac surgery, with incidence ranging from 1.9 to 15%, especially when considering the lower limb infections. Inadequate prophylactic antibiotic therapy, besides not preventing infection, it can select resistant microorganisms. The second-generation of cephalosporin antibiotics have been the most used as prophylactic antibiotic for cardiac surgery due to its low toxicity and cost, good tissue penetration, good spectrum of activity against bacterias that often cause postoperative infection, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus, which colonize the patients' skin, and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Proteus spp, and Pseudomonas spp, bacteria common in the lower limb or perineum which may contaminate the chest or the location of the saphenectomy. Regarding cefuroxime, it is important that the plasma concentration four times higher than the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration), i.e. 16 g/L is maintained throughout the surgical procedure. However, there is no consensus on the ideal dosage to be used to maintain this concentration for prevention of infection in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Nascimento et al. demonstrated that, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with CPB, the cefuroxime in a dose of 1.5 g every 12 hours, for 24 hours showed plasma concentrations below antibiotic prophylaxis with 16 g/L MIC after the ninth hour. After these results, the institutional dosing changed to 1.5 g bolus at induction of anaesthesia, followed by a bolus of 750 mg every 6 hours, for 24 hours. It is necessary a study to test this dosing regimen and the influence of CPB on plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime