Prolonged neuromuscular blockade with atracurium

Bizzarri-Schmid, Marina D.; Desai, Sukumar P.

doi:10.1007/bf03010832

Cited by 15 publications

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

A Retrospective Analysis of Long‐Term Use of Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in the Intensive Care Unit, and Guidelines for Drug Selection

Ciarens,

Kelly,

Gilliland

et al. 1993

Pharmacotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NNMBAs) are frequently administered to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted a retrospective study of patients in intensive care who received infusions (>48 hrs) of commonly used NNMBAs. The goals were to describe NNMBA use in our ICUs, determine patient characteristics, and assess the cost of the individual drugs. We found that atracurium was prescribed for 68% of study patients; 68% of the patients did not have renal, hepatic, or cardiovascular disease; dosages of NNMBAs varied; a statistically significant increase in dosage requirements over time occurred with atracurium; assessment of neuromuscular blockade was 100% subjective; and 41% and 17% of patients receiving atracurium and vecuronium, respectively, experienced prolonged neuromuscular weakness documented subjectively. As a result of this study, guidelines for agent selection were developed to facilitate cost effective use of NNMBA in our ICUs. Using these guidelines would potentially significantly decrease drug expenditures in this setting.

show abstract

A Retrospective Analysis of Long‐Term Use of Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in the Intensive Care Unit, and Guidelines for Drug Selection

Ciarens,

Kelly,

Gilliland

et al. 1993

Pharmacotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Prolonged Neuromuscular Blockade in Two Critically Ill Patients Treated With Atracurium

Hoey,

Joslin,

Nahum

et al. 1995

Pharmacotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent literature suggests that the risk of prolonged neuromuscular blockade associated with atracurium compared with other nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents may be minimal. Two patients experienced prolonged weakness associated with the administration of atracurium. Both received atracurium 0.5–0.7 mg/kg/hour in combination with methylprednisolone 500–600 mg/day. Electromyographic results and creatine kinase levels were suggestive of muscular weakness in both patients. Despite high‐dose corticosteroid therapy, the electromyographic evidence supporting prolonged weakness did not suggest typical corticosteroid myopathy. Although some clinicians advocate routine administration of atracurium in critically ill patients due to the relative lack of reports of prolonged weakness, this may be premature. Although there are fewer reports of atracurium‐associated prolonged weakness compared with pancuronium and vecuronium, the patients we describe suggest that it may occur.

show abstract

Nichtdepolarisierende Muskelrelaxanzien — Vorteile, Nachteile, Nebenwirkungen

Frey

1994

Klinik Der Muskelrelaxation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Prolonged neuromuscular blockade with atracurium

Cited by 15 publications

References 16 publications

A Retrospective Analysis of Long‐Term Use of Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in the Intensive Care Unit, and Guidelines for Drug Selection

A Retrospective Analysis of Long‐Term Use of Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in the Intensive Care Unit, and Guidelines for Drug Selection

Prolonged Neuromuscular Blockade in Two Critically Ill Patients Treated With Atracurium

Nichtdepolarisierende Muskelrelaxanzien — Vorteile, Nachteile, Nebenwirkungen

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About