Computer Control of Drug Delivery by Continuous Intravenous Infusion. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parker, Michael J.; Lovich, Mark A.; Tsao, Amy C.; Wei, Abraham E.; Wakim, Matthew G.; Maslov, Mikhail Y.; Tsukada, Hisashi; Peterfreund, Robert A.
• Is Part Of: Anesthesiology. Volume 122:Number 3(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Anesthetics -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000519
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-3022

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Intravenous drug infusion driven by syringe pumps may lead to substantial temporal lags in achieving steady-state delivery at target levels when using very low flow rates ("microinfusion"). This study evaluated computer algorithms for reducing temporal lags <italic>via</italic> coordinated control of drug and carrier flows.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>Novel computer control algorithms were developed based on mathematical models of fluid flow. Algorithm 1 controlled initiation of drug infusion and algorithm 2 controlled changes to ongoing steady-state infusions. These algorithms were tested <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> using typical high and low dead volume infusion system architectures. One syringe pump infused a carrier fluid and a second infused drug. Drug and carrier flowed together <italic>via</italic> a manifold through standard central venous catheters. Samples were collected <italic>in vitro</italic> for quantitative delivery analysis. Parameters including left ventricular max dP/dt were recorded <italic>in vivo</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Regulation by algorithm 1 reduced delivery delay <italic>in vitro</italic> during infusion initiation by 69% (low dead volume) and 78% (high dead volume). Algorithmic control <italic>in vivo</italic> measuring % change in max dP/dt showed similar results (55% for low dead volume and 64% for high dead volume). Algorithm 2 yielded greater precision in matching the magnitude and timing of intended changes <italic>in vivo</italic> and <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Compared with conventional methods, algorithm-based computer control of carrier and drug flows can improve drug delivery by pump-driven intravenous infusion to better match intent. For norepinephrine infusions, the amount of drug reaching the bloodstream per time appears to be a dominant factor in the hemodynamic response to infusion.</p> </sec> </abstract>