Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade following high-dose vecuronium administration.
To determine the onset time and duration of high doses of vecuronium, 40 ASA Physical Status 1 and 2 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 100, 200, 300, or 400 micrograms/kg of vecuronium bromide for muscle relaxation during elective general surgery. Neuromuscular blockade was continuously quantitated by recording the electromyographic response to stimulation of the ulnar nerve train-of-four. The rate of onset of neuromuscular blockade, endotracheal intubating conditions, duration of neuromuscular blockade, and hemodynamic effects of vecuronium at each dose were evaluated and compared. ⋯ No significant hemodynamic differences between the four groups were observed. Endotracheal intubating conditions were good or excellent in all patients. High doses of vecuronium may, therefore, be a useful alternative to succinylcholine when a rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade is required.