Medicine
Pharmacokinetic Variability of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics in Critically Ill Patients
Quick fact
In critically ill patients, the volume of distribution for beta-lactams can increase by up to 50-100%, and clearance can vary from 10% to 300% of normal, leading to highly unpredictable drug concentrations.
Why this is interesting
Why does the same dose of an antibiotic work in one patient but fail in another in the ICU? Even the same patient might respond differently on different days.