Bernard Georges

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, Midi-Pyrenees, France

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Publications (10)42.85 Total impact

  • Article: Ceftazidime dosage regimen in intensive care unit patients: from a population pharmacokinetic approach to clinical practice via Monte Carlo simulations.
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    ABSTRACT: The large variability in drug pharmacokinetic disposition has already been described in ICU patients leading to important variations in drugs concentrations. The usual recommended dosage of ceftazidime is not adapted for all ICU situations and ceftazidime should be monitored closely. New recommendations have to be given for some specific cases. Our results propose individual therapeutic drug monitoring taking into account: For the patient: the reason of admission in the ICU, the mechanical ventilation status and the creatinine clearance calculated by the modified diet in renal disease (MDRD). • For the antibiotics: the lung distribution, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the strain to eradicate and the potential toxicity. AIM To predict the ceftazidime dosage regimen as a function of the glomerular filtration rate expressed by the modification of the diet in renal disease (MDRD), reason for admission and mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. A published and qualified population pharmacokinetic model was used to perform Monte Carlo simulations of ceftazidime concentrations. The serum target of 40-100 mg l(-1) was defined based on the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), the European break point (EBP), the pulmonary drug diffusion and toxicity. The recommended dosage regimens were based on the maximum percentile of the patients with simulated steady state concentrations reaching the target. Steady-state was reached at 72 h whatever the MDRD. The simulations of serum concentrations generated higher percentiles of the population reaching the target after continuous administration. We recommend a 4 g continuous dose after the usual 2 g loading dose for patients with MDRD from 10 to 30 ml min(-1) , 6 g for MDRD between 40 and 80 ml min(-1) , 8 g for MDRD from 90 to 110 ml min(-1) , 10 g for MDRD from 120 to 190 ml min(-1) and 12 g day(-1) for patients with MDRD higher than 200 ml min(-1) . Our study demonstrated that in ICU patients for a given MDRD, steady-state takes longer to reach in polytrauma patients than in patients with medical or post surgery reasons for admission. Continuous infusion ensures that a higher percentage of patients reaches the target than the same dose given by discontinuous administration and this only depends on MDRD.
    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 10/2011; 73(4):588-96. · 2.96 Impact Factor
  • Article: Optimizing ciprofloxacin dosing in intensive care unit patients through the use of population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis and Monte Carlo simulations.
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    ABSTRACT: To explore different ciprofloxacin dosage regimens for the treatment of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with respect to clinical outcome and the development of bacterial resistance for the major Gram-negative pathogens. A population pharmacokinetic model was first developed on ciprofloxacin serum concentrations obtained in 102 ICU patients. Then, based on this model, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) were carried out to explore the appropriateness of different ciprofloxacin dosage regimens in ICU patients. The defined targets were free AUC(24)/MIC ≥90 h (as a predictor of clinical outcome) and T(MSW) ≤20% (as a predictor of selecting resistance), where T(MSW) is the time spent within the mutant selection window over 24 h. Two simulation trials were conducted: Trial 1 took into account the whole MIC distribution for each causative pathogen in line with empirical antibiotherapy; Trial 2 used MIC breakpoints given by the Antibiogram Committee of the French Microbiology Society in order to treat the 'worst-case' scenario. Trial 1 showed that for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, the common dosage regimens of 400 mg twice or three times a day did not achieve the desired target attainment rates (TARs) with respect to T(MSW), while suboptimal TARs were found for AUC(24)/MIC. Trial 2 showed that ≤ 18% of patients reached the target of T(MSW) ≤ 20% for MIC breakpoints of 0.5 and 1 mg/L, regardless of the administered dose. Based on the mutant selection window concept, our simulations truly question the use of ciprofloxacin for the treatment of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii infections in ICU patients due to the potential for developing resistance.
    Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 06/2011; 66(8):1798-809. · 5.07 Impact Factor
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    Article: Increased creatinine clearance in polytrauma patients with normal serum creatinine: a retrospective observational study.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study, performed in an intensive care unit (ICU) population with a normal serum creatinine, was to estimate urinary creatinine clearance (CLCR) in a population of polytrauma patients (PT) through a comparison with a population of non trauma patients (NPT). This was a retrospective, observational study in a medical and surgical ICU in a university hospital. A total of 284 patients were consecutively included. Two different groups were studied: PT (n = 144) and NPT (n = 140). Within the second week after admission to the ICU, renal function was assessed using serum creatinine, 24 h urinary CLCR . Among the 106 patients with a CLCR above 120 mL minute(-1) 1.73 m(-2), 79 were PT and 27 NPT (P < 0.0001). Only 63 patients had a CLCR below 60 mL minute(-1) 1.73 m(-2) with 15 PT and 48 NPT (P < 0.0001). Patients with CLCR greater than 120 mL minute(-1). 1.73 m(-2) were younger, had a lower SAPS II score and a higher male ratio as compared to those having CLCR lower than 120 mL minute(-1). 1.73 m(-2). Through a logistic regression analysis, age and trauma were the only factors independently correlated to CLCR. In ICU patients with normal serum creatinine, CLCR, is higher in PT than in NPT. The measure of CLCR should be proposed as routine for PT patients in order to adjust dose regimen, especially for drugs with renal elimination.
    Critical care (London, England) 02/2011; 15(1):R49. · 4.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: Tobramycin disposition in ICU patients receiving a once daily regimen: population approach and dosage simulations.
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    ABSTRACT: WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT? It is well known that tobramycin given as an once daily dose according to the usual recommendations needs therapeutic drug monitoring by measurement of peak and trough concentrations. In the literature, there are only few published studies on the population pharmacokinetics of once daily tobramycin in critically ill patients. Glomerular filtration rate and bodyweight were identified as covariates contributing to the inter-individual variability in the disposition of aminoglycosides. The study, by Peris-Marti et al. [24], only evaluated the pharmacodynamic effectiveness of a 4 mg kg(-1) dose of tobramycin given once daily in critically ill patients. The authors concluded with a simulation showing that for a theoretical MIC of 1 or 2 mg l(-1) , a 7 mg kg(-1) dose was required. Our results confirm the high variability of tobramycin disposition in intensive care patients and consequently the possible lack of effectiveness. By using a population pharmacokinetic approach, two explicative covariates (height and Cockcroft creatinine clearance) added to a two-compartment model with proportional error, explained much of the inter-individual variability of tobramycin disposition in the critically ill patient population. In a median ICU patient, simulations were performed at various dosage regimens and peak and AUC pharmacodynamic targets could not be reached simultaneously in more than 45% of the ICU patient population. Drug monitoring is required to manage efficacy and toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the disposition of tobramycin (TOB) in critically ill patients (ICU) by a population pharmacokinetic approach, to determine the covariates involved, and to simulate tobramycin dosage regimens. Forty-nine adult ICU patients received TOB (5 mg kg(-1) ) once daily. NonMem modelling was performed on 32 patients. The 17 other patients were used for the qualification process by normalized prediction distribution error. Then Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) were performed. A two-compartment model with a proportional error best fitted the data. TOB total clearance (CL(TOB) ) was significantly correlated with Cockcroft creatinine clearance (COCK) and height. TOB clearance was 4.8 ± 1.9 l h(-1) (range 1.22-8.95), the volume of distribution of the central compartment was 24.7 ± 3.7 l (range 17.34-32.83) and that of the peripheral compartment and the inter-compartmental clearance were 30.6 l and 4.74 l h(-1) , respectively. Only 29% of the patients presented a target AUC between 80 and 125 mg l(-1) h and 61% were lower than 80 mg l(-1)  h. After considering COCK and height, MCS showed that only 50% of the population could achieve the target AUC for the 375 and 400 mg dosages. Even after taking into account COCK and height, for strains with an MIC ≤ 1 mg l(-1) , MCS doses evidenced that peak and AUC pharmacodynamic targets could not be reached simultaneously in more than 45% of the ICU patient population. Combination therapy in addition to drug monitoring are required to manage efficacy and toxicity.
    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 01/2011; 71(1):61-71. · 2.96 Impact Factor
  • Article: Population pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in intensive care unit patients: influence of glomerular filtration rate, mechanical ventilation, and reason for admission.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop a population-pharmacokinetic model of ceftazidime in intensive care unit patients to include the influence of patients' characteristics on the pharmacokinetics. Forty-nine patients for model building and 23 patients for validation were included in a randomized study. They received ceftazidime at 2 g three times a day or as 6 g per day continuously. A NONMEM pharmacokinetic model was constructed, and the influences of covariates were studied. The model was validated by a comparison of the predicted and observed concentrations. A final model was elaborated from the whole population. Total clearance (CL) was significantly correlated with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated by modification of the diet in renal disease (MDRD), the central volume of distribution (V1) with intubation, and the peripheral volume of distribution (V2) with the reason for admission. The mean pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: CL, 5.48 liters/h, 40%; V1, 10.48 liters, 34%; V2, 32.12 liters, 59%; total volume, 42.60 liters, 45%; and intercompartmental clearance, 16.19 liters/h, 42%. In the polytrauma population (mechanically ventilated), the time above the MIC at steady state never corresponds to 100% for discontinuous administration, and the target concentration of five times the MIC was reached with a 6-g/day dose only for patients with an MDRD of <150 ml/min. We showed that the GFR-MDRD, mechanical ventilation, and the reason for admission may influence the achieved concentrations of ceftazidime. Our model allows the a priori dosing to be adjusted to the individual patient.
    Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 07/2009; 53(10):4483-9. · 4.84 Impact Factor
  • Article: Ciprofloxacin use in critically ill patients: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic approaches.
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    ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of ciprofloxacin in intensive care patients using a population approach. Seventy patients received ciprofloxacin. On Day 1, three to eight blood samples were taken over a 12-h period. Peak drug concentration (Cmax) and 24-h area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) were compared with the French breakpoint defining antibiotic susceptibility. A population pharmacokinetic modelling approach was then carried out. A two-compartment open model with a proportional error model best fitted the data. A relationship between the elimination constant rate and the Cockcroft creatinine clearance was found. Ciprofloxacin clearance was 13.6+/-5.8L/h, the volume of distribution was 62.0+/-10.7 L and the ciprofloxacin half-life was 3.7+/-1.8h. When the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was equal to 1mg/L the inhibitory ratio (IR) was > or = 8 in only 10.8% of cases, and the AUC/MIC ratio (AUIC) was 42.0+/-36. In conclusion, this study highlights that the Cockcroft clearance significantly influences ciprofloxacin elimination. Target plasma concentrations for ciprofloxacin, the IR and AUIC were rarely reached with a standard dosing regimen. In critically ill patients, the observed pharmacokinetic variability is mainly responsible for the overly frequent low concentrations of ciprofloxacin, emphasising the need for therapeutic monitoring.
    International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 09/2008; 32(6):505-10. · 4.13 Impact Factor
  • Article: Acute copper sulphate poisoning: a case report and literature review.
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    ABSTRACT: Voluntary copper poisoning is a rare mode of suicide. We report a case of copper sulphate poisoning in a patient presenting delusions with mystic demands for purification. The initial gastrointestinal symptoms were followed by intravascular haemolysis and renal failure. The course was favourable after symptomatic treatment and specific copper chelation therapy. However, the pathogenesis is not fully understood and with the present state of knowledge, no one treatment can be said to be superior to another. The authors discuss the various treatments of this rare poisoning through a review of the available literature.
    Resuscitation 08/2008; 78(1):92-6. · 3.60 Impact Factor
  • Article: A population pharmacokinetic approach to ceftazidime use in burn patients: influence of glomerular filtration, gender and mechanical ventilation.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the disposition of ceftazidime in burn patients using a population pharmacokinetic approach, and to identify the clinical and biological parameters influencing its pharmacokinetics. The development of the pharmacokinetic model was based on 237 serum ceftazidime concentrations from 50 burn patients. The determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters and the selection of covariates were performed using a nonlinear mixed-effect modelling method. A two-compartment model with first order elimination incorporating a proportional error model best fitted the data. Ceftazidime clearance (CL, l h(-1)) was significantly correlated with creatinine clearance (CL(CR)), and the distribution volume of the peripheral compartment (V2, l) was correlated with gender, mechanical ventilation and the CL(CR). The final model was defined by the following equations: Ceftazidime clearance was 6.1 and 5.7 l h(-1) for mechanically ventilated males and females, respectively, and 7.2 and 6.6 l h(-1) for nonventilated patients. The total volume of distribution was 31.6 and 49.4 l for mechanically ventilated males and females, respectively, and 22.8 and 28.1 l h (-1)for nonventilated patients. We have shown that gender, mechanical ventilation and CL(CR) significantly influence the disposition of ceftazidime in burn patients. Interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime was significant and emphasizes the need for therapeutic monitoring.
    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 08/2007; 64(1):27-35. · 2.96 Impact Factor
  • Article: Influence of renal function on trough serum concentrations of piperacillin in intensive care unit patients.
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    ABSTRACT: To explore the effects of renal function estimated by measured creatinine clearance (Cl(CR)) on trough serum concentration (C(min)) of piperacillin given to critically ill patients. Prospective observational study. An intensive care unit and research ward in a university hospital. Seventy critically ill patients, including 22 with severe trauma. All subjects received an intravenous infusion of piperacillin 4 g three times (n = 61) or four times (n = 9) per day. Piperacillin C(min) values were determined 24 h after treatment started and compared to the French breakpoint defining antibiotic susceptibility against Enterobacteriaceae (8 mg/l) or Pseudomonas sp. (16 mg/l). Median (range) piperacillin C(min) was 11.9 (< 1-156.3) mg/l, with a great variability among patients. Although the median value was close to the breakpoints, sub-therapeutic plasma levels were frequently observed. Piperacillin C(min) was lower than the breakpoint for Enterobacteriaceae in 37% of patients, and lower than the breakpoint for P. aeruginosa in 67% of them. A strong relationship was observed between piperacillin C(min) and Cl(CR): the higher the Cl(CR,) the lower the piperacillin C(min )in serum. For patients with a Cl(CR) < 50 ml/min, enough piperacillin C(min) was achieved in most patients with 12 g piperacillin per day. For patients with higher Cl(CR) values, a piperacillin daily dose of 16 g or more may be warranted. In critically ill patients, therapeutic monitoring must be part of the routine, and knowledge of Cl(CR) value may be useful for the choice of adequate initial piperacillin dosing.
    Intensive Care Medicine 12/2006; 32(12):2063-6. · 5.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Risk of emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in intensive care units.
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    ABSTRACT: The emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to antimicrobial drugs is frequent in intensive care units and may be correlated with the use of some specific drugs. The purpose of our study was to identify a relationship between the use of various beta-lactam antibiotics and the emergence of resistance and to characterize the mechanism of resistance involved. We conducted an open prospective study over a 3-yr period by including all patients in whom P. aeruginosa had been isolated from one or more specimens: bronchial aspiration, blood cultures, catheters, and urinary cultures. General intensive care unit. One hundred and thirty-two intensive care unit patients. The antibiotics studied were amoxiclav, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepim, and imipenem. The mechanisms of resistance studied were production of penicillinase or cephalosporinase, nonenzymatic mechanisms, and loss of porin OprD2. Analysis was performed using Cox proportional-hazard regression with time-dependant variables. Forty-two strains became resistant, 30 to one antibiotic, nine to two, and three to three, leading to the study of 57 resistant strains. Imipenem (hazard ratio 7.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.4-18.1), piperacillin-tazobactam (hazard ratio 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-11.9), and cefotaxim (hazard ratio 9.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-30.2) were strongly linked to the emergence of resistance. The use of imipenem (p<.0001) was associated with the loss of porin OprD2. Thirty-six strains from nine patients, assayed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, showed that for any one patient, all the strains were genetically related. Our results show that there is a high risk of the emergence of drug resistance during treatment with cefotaxime, imipenem, and piperacillin-tazobactam. This has to be taken into account in the therapeutic choice and in the patient's surveillance.
    Critical Care Medicine 06/2006; 34(6):1636-41. · 6.33 Impact Factor