Abstract
Extracoporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of advanced life support which is reserved for respiratory or cardiac failure. Drug properties are affected and there are limited studies of medication use in this form of life support. We describe the case of a 16-year-old male deployed on ECMO for refractory respiratory failure who was receiving levetiracetam for seizures. A pharmacokinetic study was performed to determine drug levels through different points in the ECMO circuit and in the patient. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in healthy pediatric patients suggesting that ECMO does not affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of levetiracetam. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of levetiracetam use during ECMO in a pediatric patient.
Joseph M. LaRochelle, Matthew D. Murvant, Amy M. Creel, Ann Tilton
