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Detection of subclinical nephrotoxicity induced by aminoglycosides in critically ill elderly patients using trough levels and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin
  1. Kourosh Sadeghi1,
  2. Bita Shahrami1,
  3. Faezeh Hosseini Fani2,
  4. Hadi Hamishehkar3,
  5. Mojtaba Mojtahedzadeh1
  1. 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
  2. 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
  3. 3 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
  1. Correspondence to Professor Mojtaba Mojtahedzadeh, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (the Islamic Republic of); mojtahed{at}sina.tums.ac.ir

Abstract

Objectives Early detection of aminoglycoside-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is crucial in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but it is not adequately reflected by serum creatinine (SrCr) levels. This study proposed investigating the relationship between amikacin trough levels and the development of nephrotoxicity using both conventional markers and a new biomarker of renal function in critically ill elderly patients.

Methods Thirty-three critically ill patients aged ≥65 years with normal SrCr who received once-daily amikacin were evaluated. Trough levels of amikacin, creatinine clearance (CrCL) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) were measured during the 10-day study period. The patients were divided into three groups and were compared based on the trough levels on both day 3 and day 7: <3 µg/mL (low trough (LT)), 3–6 µg/mL (moderate trough (MT)) and >6 µg/mL (high trough (HT)).

Results In the LT group, neither CrCL nor uNGAL levels significantly changed from baseline (p=0.364 and p=0.562, respectively). In the MT group, the CrCL level altered significantly over time from baseline (p=0.007), but the uNGAL level did not change significantly over the study period (p=0.916). In the HT group, both CrCL and uNGAL levels significantly changed from baseline during the study period (p=0.002 and p=0.046, respectively).

Conclusions In critically ill elderly patients with MT, the mean uNGAL level changed at least 4 days earlier than the SrCr level. Instead, the trough level of amikacin demonstrated a potential value for predicting subclinical AKI for implementing necessary interventions. Amikacin trough levels <3 µg/mL in the once-daily dosing regimen appeared safe, even in geriatric patients. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

  • critical care
  • acute kidney injury
  • geriatrics
  • drug monitoring
  • drug-related side effects and adverse reactions

Data availability statement

All data relevant to the study are included in the article.

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Data availability statement

All data relevant to the study are included in the article.

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