Population Pharmacokinetics of Remimazolam in Procedural Sedation With Nonhomogeneously Mixed Arterial and Venous Concentrations

Remimazolam is an ultra‐short acting benzodiazepine under development for procedural sedation and general anesthesia. Population pharmacokinetic analysis (PopPK) was conducted for remimazolam with arterial and venous samples previously, but results were limited by arterial‐venous concentration differences and inaccurate central volume of distribution (V1) estimates. A new model was developed to describe covariate effects after accounting for arterial‐venous differences. Arterial and venous plasma concentration‐time data from 11 clinical trials were pooled for PopPK. Data from two constant‐rate infusion studies were used to account for venous‐to‐arterial (VtoA) ratio within residual error and to accurately estimate V1. V1 and VtoA ratio from the pilot model were applied to the full dataset, where the optimal fixed/random effects and covariates were assessed. VtoA ratio was described using a maximum effect (E_max) model during infusion and as a constant postdose. V1 was estimated as 4.83 L for a 70 kg subject and interindividual variability (IIV) on V1 could only be estimated in studies with early concentrations. IIV on clearance was low (22.9%). Covariates included effects of sex on clearance (women 10% > men), and race on clearance and steady‐state volume of distribution (African Americans 16% < other races). Arterial‐venous concentration differences were best described using an E_max model during infusion with a constant ratio after infusion, resulting in low residual error (20.7%). There are no clinically relevant dose adjustments needed for any covariates based on pharmacokinetic differences.