Background: Indication of vancomycin is now growing due to increasing multi-drug resistance feature of some microorganisms. Intravenous infusion of diluted vancomycin during 30 to 60 minutes is generally recommended but the standard duration may not be adhered to.
Objectives: Alterations in heart rate and electrocardiographic indices as possible side effects of vancomycin infusion in different therapeutic protocols during 5 minutes were evaluated.
Methods: Eighteen young mature mongrel dogs with weight range between 20-26 Kg were randomly selected and introduced to the study after clinical examinations and health approval. They were randomly divided into three equal groups each one congaing 6 dogs (n=6). For the first group, 15 mg/Kg slow standard Intravenous infusion of vancomycin was performed during 30 minutes. For the second group, 15 mg/Kg rapid Intravenous infusion of vancomycin was done in 5 minutes. For the third group, 15 mg/Kg rapid Intravenous infusion of 1:2 diluted vancomycin was executed in 5 minutes. In addition to clinical status, the results from heart rate and electrocardiography were registered and analyzed with level of significance at p<0.05.
Results: No significant clinical sign was seen in subjects. No significant change was found in heart rate. In electrocardiographic findings, in group 3, Q-T interval of minute 30 was significantly prolonged compared to that of minute 15 (p<0.05). This change was insignificant in minute 90.
Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of both undiluted and 1:2 diluted vancomycin in 5 minutes do not manifest serious clinical problem and significant and persistent change in heart rate and electrocardiographic indices.