Anesthesiology
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Historical Article
Opening Medallion from Portugal's Museu de Anestesiologia.
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The decline in voluntary muscle contraction during low-frequency nerve stimulation is used clinically to assess the type and degree of neuromuscular block. The mechanism underlying this depression is unknown. ⋯ The results demonstrate that neuromuscular depression during train-of-four monitoring is due to a decline in nerve terminal Ca currents, hence reducing the release of acetylcholine. As similar processes may come into play at higher stimulation frequencies, agents that antagonize the decline in Ca currents could be used to treat conditions in which neuromuscular depression can be debilitating.