ISSN:
1573-8744
Keywords:
Ajmaline
;
antiarrhythmic drug
;
pharmacokinetics
;
pharmacodynamics
;
plasma protein binding
;
combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model
;
ECG
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ajmaline were studied in four healthy dogs after intravenous administration of the drug at the infusion rate of 1.0 mg/min for 45 min. Ajmaline exhibited a saturable binding to plasma protein. One kind of binding site was found in the range of observed drug concentrations and its binding capacity showed nearly threefold interindividual difference. The time course of ajmaline concentration in whole blood Cbcould be described by the two-compartment open model and the unbound concentration of ajmaline in plasma Pf wasestimated from Cbby using the hematocrit value and the parameters of plasma protein binding and erythrocyte partitioning. The pharmacologic responses to ajmaline were assessed by recording ECG, and the changes in PQ and QRS interval were studied in relation to ajmaline disposition. When ECG changes were related to the ajmaline concentration, a significant degree of hysteresis was observed. The relationship between the unbound drug concentration and the pharmacologic effect was analyzed by a combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, where the hypothetical effect compartment is connected to the Pfin the central compartment by a first-order process. This model allows estimation of the changes in PQ and QRS intervals after intravenous administration of ajmaline. By comparing the drug effect on PQ and QRS intervals, it was suggested that ajmaline distributes to the atrial and the ventricular tissue in a similar degree and causes a reduction in the conduction rate in both sites with similar activity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01062938
