International journal of critical illness and injury science
-
Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci · Apr 2017
The Incidence of hypotension with continuous infusion atracurium compared to cisatracurium in the Intensive Care Unit.
A drug shortage of cisatracurium led to use of atracurium as an alternative neuromuscular blocker (NMB). Cisatracurium may be preferred due to less histamine release and potentially less hypotension. The study purpose is to compare the incidence of hypotension with continuous infusion atracurium to continuous infusion cisatracurium in ICU patients. ⋯ The incidence of hypotension was similar between atracurium and cisatracurium. Critical drug shortages may provide an opportunity to study alternative drug therapy.