ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heavy alcohol use is a risk factor for disease and mortality; however, epidemiological findings have demonstrated protective effects of a light-to-moderate intake of alcohol on cardiovascular health. There are many misconceptions regarding appropriate levels of alcohol intake and the risks and benefits of consumption. We sought to examine physician attitudes and recommendations regarding alcohol intake in a cohort of Uruguayan cardiologists. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 25 questions was distributed through the Uruguayan Society of Cardiology to attending cardiologists and advanced cardiology trainees. RESULTS: There were 298 respondents; 237 were attending cardiologists and 61 were advanced cardiology trainees. In total, 34% of cardiologists viewed moderate alcohol intake to be beneficial for cardiovascular health, 27% believed only wine offered such benefits, 36% viewed any intake to be harmful, and 3% had other opinions. More than half (57%) self-reported their perceived knowledge to come from academic sources. Regarding knowledge of guidelines, only 42% were aware of the concept of 'standard drink' (SD). Cardiologists were not comfortable (on a Likert scale) converting SD into other metric units (1.92 ± 2.77). Cardiologists were not satisfied with their knowledge of drinking guidelines (2.42 ± 2.63); however, men were more comfortable than women (p = 0.003). Cardiologists were generally comfortable in counseling patients regarding safe limits of consumption (5.46 ± 3.08, on a 0-10 scale). CONCLUSIONS: Uruguayan cardiologists were not satisfied with their knowledge of drinking guidelines or understanding of the alcohol metric units. This study suggests a necessity to optimize educational resources for physicians.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Cardiologists , Cardiovascular System/drug effects , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adult , Aged , Cohort Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Uruguay , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gentamicin is indicated as empiric treatment for neonatal sepsis. Plasmatic levels dosification of gentamicin is a common practice. The relationship between peak plasma concentration (Cmáx) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (Cmáx/MIC) is the parameter that best predicts treatment efficacy. AIM: To determine pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in term newborn infants. METHODS: Term newborn infants receiving gentamicin, without critical illness in which plasmatic levels of gentamicin was performed were included. Elimination clearance (Cl) elimination half-life (t½) and volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated. In each case the value of Cmax/MIC parameter was calculated, considering a MIC value of 1 µg/mL for Escherichia coli. RESULTS: Thirteen newborns were included. The mean PK values were Cl: 0.26 mL/hour, Vd: 0.54 L/kg and t½: 6.8 h. Cmax/MIC was > 8 in 6 newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacokinetic parameters of gentamicin are predictable in term newborn infants. With gentamicin doses normally used Cmax/MIC values reached 8 in 6 newborns. It is necessary to review the usefulness of plasma drug monitoring and gentamicin dosage in this group of newborns.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacokinetics , Gentamicins/pharmacokinetics , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Bacterial Agents/blood , Drug Monitoring , Female , Gentamicins/administration & dosage , Gentamicins/blood , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infusions, Intravenous , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Background: Gentamicin is indicated as empiric treatment for neonatal sepsis. Plasmatic levels dosification of gentamicin is a common practice. The relationship between peak plasma concentration (Cmáx) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (Cmáx/MIC) is the parameter that best predicts treatment efficacy. Aim: To determine pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in term newborn infants. Methods: Term newborn infants receiving gentamicin, without critical illness in which plasmatic levels of gentamicin was performed were included. Elimination clearance (Cl) elimination half-life (t½) and volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated. In each case the value of Cmax/MIC parameter was calculated, considering a MIC value of 1 μg/mL for Escherichia coli. Results: Thirteen newborns were included. The mean PK values were Cl: 0.26 mL/hour, Vd: 0.54 L/kg and t½: 6.8 h. Cmax/MIC was > 8 in 6 newborns. Conclusions: Pharmacokinetic parameters of gentamicin are predictable in term newborn infants. With gentamicin doses normally used Cmax/MIC values reached 8 in 6 newborns. It is necessary to review the usefulness of plasma drug monitoring and gentamicin dosage in this group of newborns.
Introducción: Gentamicina es utilizada como tratamiento empírico en la sepsis neonatal. El monitoreo de su concentración plasmática es una práctica frecuente. La relación entre la concentración plasmática máxima (Cmax) y la concentración inhibitoria mínima (Cmax/ CIM) es el parámetro que mejor predice la eficacia. Objetivo: Determinar los parámetros farmacocinéticos (FC) de gentamicina en recién nacidos (RN) de termino. Material y Métodos: Se incluyeron RN de término, sin enfermedad crítica, en tratamiento con gentamicina (4 mg/kg/24 h) en los que se realizó monitoreo de su concentración plasmática. Se determinaron: clearence de eliminación (Cl), vida media de eliminación (t½) y volumen de distribución (Vd). Se estimó la Cmax/CIM, considerando una CIM de 1 μg/mL para Escherichia coli. Resultados: Participaron 13 RN. La media de Cmax fue 8,19 μg/mL y de Cmin 0,73 μg/mL. La media de los parámetros farmacocinéticos fue: Cl 0,26 mL/h, Vd 0,54 L/kg, t½ 6,8 h. La razón Cmáx/CIM fue ≥ 8 en 6 de los 13 RN. Conclusiones: Los parámetros FC de gentamicina en RN de término, sin enfermedad crítica, son predecibles. La posología habitual no permitió obtener valores de Cmax/CIM > 8 en todos los casos. Es necesario revisar la necesidad de monitorizar su concentración plasmática en forma sistemática y la posología de gentamicina en este grupo de pacientes.