Vecuronium: an anthropometric comparison

Abstract

SummaryThis study set out to determine if there was any resistance to vecuronium in Nepalese studied in Nepal compared with Nepalese, Chinese and European patients studied in Hong Kong. The four groups, each of 10 male and 10 female patients, were intubated 60 s after administration of 0.1 mg.kg-' vecuronium. The Nepalese patients in Nepal had significantly less satisfactory intubating conditions ( p = 0.002). Similarly, male patients had significantly less satisfactory conditions than female patients ( p = 0.004). Some anthropometric measurements were significantly different between the patients in Nepal and those in Hong Kong. There were also sex-related anthropometric differences. It is suggested that differences in response to vecuronium could be explained by differences in distribution volume and muscle mass

Influence of Gender on the Onset and Duration of Rocuronium-Induced Neuromuscular Block

“…Following administration of 0.1 mg kg -1 vecuronium, male patients had significantly less satisfactory intubation conditions at 60 s than female patients. It was suggested that diff erences in response to vecuronium could be explained by diff erences in distribution volume and muscle mass between sexes 14 . In another study, Xue et al 15 found that, compared to women, after intravenous administration, men had lower plasma concentrations of vecuronium and a larger volume of distribution of vecuronium.…”

Sex Differences in Drug Disposition

“…The larger proportions of body fat in women may increase the body burden of lipidsoluble, slowly metabolized toxicants. Differences in body fat and in organ blood flow in women have been implicated in the faster onset of action and prolonged duration of neuromuscular blockade in women (e.g., vecuronium and rocuronium) [57, 58]. Differences in body fat content and in protein binding are responsible for sex-related pharmacokinetic differences in the distribution of diazepam (free fraction: in females 1.67% versus 1.46% in males).…”

Influence of gender on the course of neuromuscular block following a single bolus dose of cisatracurium or rocuronium

“…Following administration of 0.1 mg kg 21 vecuronium, male patients had significantly less satisfactory intubation conditions at 60 s than female patients. It was suggested that differences in response to vecuronium could be explained by differences in distribution volume and muscle mass between sexes [16]. Semple and colleagues [17] demonstrated that females were significantly more sensitive to vecuronium than males, requiring 22% less drug to achieve the same degree of neuromuscular block.…”