• S T Reeves and N M Turcasso.
• Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2207, USA.
• South. Med. J. 1997 Aug 1;90(8):769-74.

BackgroundThe use of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs (NDNMBDs) via continuous infusion in the intensive care unit (ICU) is gaining in popularity. Several new NDNMBDs have been developed recently; these drugs vary in their elimination, metabolism, and half-lives.MethodsA review of the recent English language literature was done, with those articles relevant to the ICU being incorporated into this paper.ResultsThe six most frequently used NDNMBDs, consisting of atracurium, cisatracurium, doxacurlum, pancuronium, rocuronium, and vecuronium, were reviewed. The neuromuscular junction and impulse transmission, clinical monitoring, clinical pharmacology, the elimination and metabolism, the adverse reactions, and the drug interactions of these NDNMBDs are reviewed.ConclusionsThe use of NDNMBDs is progressively increasing in ICUs. Proper understanding of normal neuromuscular physiology, clinical pharmacology, and drug interactions is essential to optimize patient care and to minimize the risk of adverse reactions.

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