Influence of stimulus frequency on blockade induced by pancuronium and rocuronium: study on rats phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of two stimulation frequencies on the installation of neuromuscular blockade produced by pancuronium and rocuronium on the rat diaphragm. METHODS: Diaphragms were submitted to an indirect frequency stimulation of 0.1 and 1Hz (Groups I and II, respectively). Subgroups were formed (n=5) according to the neuromuscular blocker employed (pancuronium-2µg/ml and rocuronium-4µg/ml). The twitch height depression was evaluated at 5, 15 and 30 minutes after adding the neuromuscular bloc…