DISPOSITION OF MILRINONE IN PATIENTS AFTER CARDIAC-SURGERY

We have evaluated the disposition of milrinone in seven patients with low cardiac output after elective cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients received a loading dose of milrinone 50 mu g kg(-1) given over 10 min followed immediately by an infusion of 0.5 mu g kg(-1) min(-1), continued for a minimum of 5 h. Plasma concentrations of milrinone were measured at designated intervals during the infusion and for 6 h after its termination, by high pressure liquid chromatography. Concentrations greater than 100 ng ml(-1) were produced in all patients within 2 min of starting the loading dose and were maintained for the duration of the infusion. Volume of distribution, clearance and terminal half-life were similar to those found in patients with chronic cardiac failure.