Novel deconvolution method for linear pharmacokinetic systems with polyexponential impulse response.

A novel least-squares deconvolution method for estimating the rate and the extent of drug input into the systemic circulation is presented. The method is based on a polyexponential approximation of the impulse response and a polynomial approximation of the input rate. The method, which is readily implemented on a computer using any multiple linear regression program with a zero-intercept option, is compared to two other deconvolution methods using simulated data with various degrees of random noise added. It appears to have several significant advantages. The method is applied to plasma pentobarbital level data from oral and intravenous administration. The assumptions and limitations of deconvolution methods for analyzing drug input into the blood are discussed.