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Population Pharmacokinetics of Midazolam and Its Metabolites during Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Neonates

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Abstract

Background and Objective

Midazolam is used to sedate children during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Pharmacokinetic changes are expected because of extracorporeal circulation and maturation. We present a population pharmacokinetic model for midazolam and its major metabolites in neonates during venoarterial ECMO.

Methods

We studied 20 neonates on venoarterial ECMO, with a median postnatal age of 0.79 (range 0.17–5.8) days and a bodyweight of 3.0 (range 2.7–3.9) kg at the onset of ECMO. The median ECMO duration was 124 (range 70–275) hours. Serum concentrations were measured at the initiation and discontinuation of the midazolam infusion (100–300 μg/kg/h). Analysis of concentrations of midazolam, 1-hydroxymidazolam and its glucuronide were performed using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. A two-compartment model for midazolam and a one-compartment model for the metabolites 1-hydroxymidazolam and hydroxymidazolam glucuronide adequately described the data, with allometric scaling of all parameters.

Results

Following the start of ECMO, the volume of distribution of midazolam increased from 4.29 to 14.6 L/3kg, with an elimination half-life of 1.85 hours. The median midazolam and 1-hydroxymidazolam clearance values increased 3-fold within the first 5 days (up to 1.38 and 5.31 L/h/3 kg, respectively), whereas hydroxymidazolam glucuronide clearance remained constant at 0.18 L/h/3 kg. Interpatient variability estimates of midazolam, 1-hydroxymidazolam and hydroxymidazolam glucuronide clearance and midazolam and hydroxymidazolam glucuronide volumes of distribution varied between 87% and 129%. Concomitant inotropic infusion increased hydroxymidazolam glucuronide clearance by 23%.

Conclusion

After allometric scaling, clearance of midazolam and 1-hydroxymidazolam increases as a result of maturation or recovery from critical illness. In ECMO patients weighing 2.7–3.9 kg, continuously infused midazolam doses of 300 μg/kg/h for 6 hours and 150 μg/kg/h thereafter provide adequate serum concentrations for sedation. The dose must be increased substantially after 5–7 days. Hydroxymidazolam glucuronide accumulates during ECMO, providing an increased proportion of the overall effect, up to 34% after 7 days. Large unexplained interpatient variability warrants careful titration of sedation and adverse effects.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Saskia N. de Wildt, MD, PhD, for her critical evaluation of this manuscript. This study was funded solely by institutional funding. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hospital Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacology Unit), Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

    Maurice J. Ahsman &  Ron A. A. Mathot

  2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

    Manon Hanekamp, Enno D. Wildschut & Dick Tibboel

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  1. Maurice J. Ahsman
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  2. Manon Hanekamp
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  3. Enno D. Wildschut
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Correspondence to Ron A. A. Mathot.

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Ahsman, M.J., Hanekamp, M., Wildschut, E.D. et al. Population Pharmacokinetics of Midazolam and Its Metabolites during Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Neonates. Clin Pharmacokinet 49, 407–419 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2165/11319970-000000000-00000

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