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3.5 Target Controlled Infusion (TCI)
Introduction
In TCI the user is defining a desired concentration of drug in the human body
(target) rather than an infusion rate. The rates necessary to reach and maintain
that said concentration are calculated by the pump using an algorithm based on
a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model.
A pharmacokinetic model (PK model) is a mathematic model to predict the con-
centration of a drug in the human body (e.g. plasma level) after a bolus or a
continuous infusion of different duration. A PK model is developed by measure-
ment of plasma level values of a population of patients or volunteers and the
respective statistical analysis. A PK model mostly is a 2- or 3- compartment
model indicating the volumes of the compartments, indicating rates for the
exchange amongst the compartments and indicating rates for elimination /
metabolism of the drug.
A PK model can be parameterized to use it for different drugs as long as it is
suitable for that said drug. The pharmacokinetic model and its parameters are
schematically depicted by the following illustration:
B. Braun Space is offering two modes for TCI:
•
TCI by targeting the plasma concentration
In this mode the user selects the desired concentration of a drug in the
blood plasma and the PK model is used to calculate the infusion rates
required to achieve that concentration as quick as possible (unless there is
no restriction defined by the user).
Chapter 3
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
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