09/09/2026
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09/09/2026
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Dr. Rawan Al-Raish
KUWAIT CITY, Sept 9: Dr. Rawan Al-Raish, a Kuwaiti doctor currently completing her residency in Anesthesia and Intensive Care in Germany, in collaboration with a team of researchers and doctors in Kuwait, published a scientific study on the pharmacokinetics of the antibiotic, tigecycline, in critically ill patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, reports Al- Seyassah daily.
The study was conducted in the intensive care units at Amiri and Jaber hospitals, including patients undergoing ECMO treatment in Kuwait. It focused on understanding the effect of ECMO on drug concentration, distribution and elimination within the body. Patients undergoing ECMO treatment are among the most complex medical groups, as the artificial circuitry used in the procedure, along with the physiological changes associated with critical cases, can affect pharmacokinetics. This leads to different levels of antibiotic exposure compared to the levels expected in other patients. Blood samples were collected from the patients at certain times to measure tigecycline concentrations and analyze the pharmacokinetic properties.
The results provide real-world clinical data in a field where scientific information remains limited, particularly regarding the optimal use of antibiotics in patients on ECMO. This research aims to build a scientific foundation that may help improve antibiotic dosing strategies for patients on ECMO in the future, reducing the risks of both under- and over-dosage hazards. The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Anesthesiology. It highlighted the importance of collaboration between Kuwaiti medical and research professionals and international academic institutions in upgrading clinical research and improving patient care.
