Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade following high-dose vecuronium administration.
To determine the onset time and duration of high doses of vecuronium, 40 ASA Physical Status 1 and 2 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 100, 200, 300, or 400 micrograms/kg of vecuronium bromide for muscle relaxation during elective general surgery. Neuromuscular blockade was continuously quantitated by recording the electromyographic response to stimulation of the ulnar nerve train-of-four. The rate of onset of neuromuscular blockade, endotracheal intubating conditions, duration of neuromuscular blockade, and hemodynamic effects of vecuronium at each dose were evaluated and compared. ⋯ No significant hemodynamic differences between the four groups were observed. Endotracheal intubating conditions were good or excellent in all patients. High doses of vecuronium may, therefore, be a useful alternative to succinylcholine when a rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade is required.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Isoproterenol is an effective marker of intravenous injection in laboring women.
The purpose of this randomized, double-blind study was to determine if isoproterenol 5 micrograms iv produces a consistent, noticeable tachycardia in healthy, laboring women. Maternal heart rate, fetal heart rate, and uterine contractions were continuously recorded and maternal blood pressure was measured every minute for 10 min before and after each patient received either normal saline (NS group; n = 10) or isoproterenol 5 micrograms (ISO group; n = 10) iv. The data-collecting investigator and a nurse palpating the patient's radial artery determined which solution they thought had been administered. ⋯ Diastolic and mean blood pressures did not change. No fetal distress occurred. Isoproterenol 5 micrograms is an effective marker of intravascular injection in laboring women; however, the safety and efficacy of epidural isoproterenol must be demonstrated in animals before isoproterenol can be incorporated in an epidural anesthesia test dose.