Atracurium during Halothane Anesthesia in Humans

Abstract

Atracurium during halothane anesthesia in humans. Anesth Analg 1983;62:207-10. The neuromuscular effects of atracurium were studied in 20 patients anesthetized with 0.8% end-tidal halothane. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored by recording the electromyogruphic activity of the adductor pollicis muscle resulting from stimulation of the ulnar nerve. Four groups offive patients received singleatracurium dosesof 0.1,0.15, 0.2, or 0.4 mglkg, respectively. The block produced by 0.1 mglkg was 25-72% and lasted 6-21 rnin. The block produced by 0.15 mglkg was 69-93% and lasted 16-32 min. The blocks produced by 0.2 and 0.4 mglkg were 95% or greater and lasted 42-84 rnin and 55-104 rnin, respectively. When indicated, intubation was easily performed in all patients receiving 0.2 and 0.4 mglkg. The block could be readily antagonized by neostigmine and atropine. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure following atracurium administration averaged less than 5 % . Key Words: NEUROMUSCULAR RELAXANTS: a tracurium.Atracurium (BW33A) is a new nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent (1,2). Initial work in Great Britain showed the efficacy and safety of atracurium in humans (3), and more recent studies have demonstrated the action of atracurium in patients during narcotic anesthesia (4,5). We report here the neuromuscular effects of atracurium during halothane anesthesia in humans.