Abstracts

Background: Deconvolution methods using stochastic differential equations have been investigated in publications [1,2,3]. Using this method the most likely outcome of an unobservable internal process can be quantified. The (extended) Kalman Filter is used for the quantification of the internal process which is based on the observations and the model specification. Examples are often simple linear […]

Background: Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) used in the treatment of thrombosis. Unlike unfractionated heparin (UFH), no routine monitoring of plasma activity is recommended for enoxaparin treatment. The activity of enoxaparin in plasma is determined by assaying anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa). Aim: (1) To identify an anti-Xa treatment target for enoxaparin. (2) […]

Aim: Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic used for post-operative management of acute pain and breakthrough cancer pain. During the development of a nasal delivery method for fentanyl, several clinical studies were completed. These included a study of fentanyl delivery via i.v. and nasal routes with venous blood sampling and measurement of post-operative pain scores1, […]

Background: In Australasia methanol overdoses are treated with high doses of ethanol. Appropriate dosing recommendations are lacking and in some cases dosing of ethanol is inadequate. There are no models for ethanol pharmacokinetics in the presence of methanol available in the literature. Aim: The overall aim is to develop dosing guidelines for ethanol treatment of […]

Gentamicin in combination with benzylpenicillin, is widely used as empiric treatment in early onset neonatal sepsis. The aim of this study is to explore influence of potential covariates on the pharmacokinetic parameters of gentamicin in very premature neonates. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using NONMEM V (version 1.1). Serum gentamicin concentrations retrospectively collected from […]

Background: Phenotypic tolerance describes the situation in which bacteria are resistant to antibiotics but are genotypically susceptible. Such tolerance may be important for optimal antibiotic therapy. Objectives: 1) To develop a mechanism-based PD model that describes the potential phenotypic tolerance of P. aeruginosa at high initial inocula (CFUo; CFU: colony forming units) to ceftazidime. 2) To propose strategies […]

Aim: Understanding the clinical behaviour of drugs sometimes requires understanding the kinetics (and dynamics) of the drug in its target organ (e.g. the cerebral uptake of anaesthetics and analgesics). One method of studying regional (organ) kinetics is by simultaneously measuring the time-courses of the concentration of the drug in blood entering and leaving the organ. […]

Background: Recently published enoxaparin dosing guidelines for obese and renally impaired patients are purported to increase the probability of achieving and maintaining anti-Xa (aXa) concentrations within the therapeutic range (TR) of 500-1000 IU/L. Exposure-response data indicate that concentrations greater than the TR increase the risk of bleeding, while concentrations less than the TR increase mortality. Aim: To […]

Background: Parenteral phenobarbitone, used in refractory status epilepticus, was unavailable in South Africafrom 2005 to 2006. Some centres supplemented status epilepticus management with a bolus of nasogastric phenobarbitone for children approaching refractory status. We assessed the efficacy, safety and phenobarbitone pharmacokinetics of this practice. Methods: Patients admitted in status epilepticus were enrolled unless impaired gastric absorption or […]

Background: A procoagulant toxin (group C) is found in taipan (Oxyuranus genus) venom, which activates the coagulation cascade and causes venom induced consumptive coagulopathy (VICC). Objectives: To explore the turnover of the clotting factors in the coagulation cascade using a mathematical model and the effects of the procoagulant toxin on this system Evaluate the performance of the […]