Evaluation of a two-compartment Bayesian forecasting program for predicting vancomycin concentrations.

The application of a two-compartment Bayesian forecasting program for vancomycin was tested retrospectively in 45 adult patients with stable renal function. Serial blood samples from 25 of these patients were used to determine population-based parameter estimates. The predictive performance of the Bayesian program was assessed by using both non-steady-state and steady-state vancomycin concentrations as feedback information. Overall, the program tended to underpredict peak and trough steady-state vancomycin serum concentrations. A larger mean prediction error (ME) was seen when non-steady-state feedback serum concentrations were used compared with using population-based parameter estimates (no feedback). In contrast, a marked improvement in ME (peaks: -1.03 versus -2.61; troughs: -1.60 versus -2.07) was seen when steady-state feedback serum concentrations were used compared with no feedback data. Precision improved when either feedback serum concentrations were used to predict steady-state peak and trough vancomycin concentrations. The results from this clinical evaluation demonstrate that the initial pharmacokinetic parameter estimates for a two-compartment Bayesian model provided accurate prediction of steady-state vancomycin concentrations. Prediction bias and precision were improved when steady-state vancomycin concentrations were used to determine individualized pharmacokinetic parameters.