Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Mar 1997
Effects of pretreatment with magnesium on muscle relaxation and cardiovascular responses in tracheal intubation using the priming principle for vecuronium.
In addition to its direct effects on blood vessels, the myocardium, and neuromuscular junctions, magnesium can act as an adrenergic antagonist and can inhibit the release of catecholamines both from adrenergic nerve terminals and from the adrenal medulla. This study was undertaken to evaluate these effects of magnesium on muscle relaxation and cardiovascular response during tracheal intubation. Forty ASA I or II patients undergoing elective surgery were allocated to a magnesium or a control group. ⋯ The duration of action of vecuronium was significantly longer in the magnesium group than in the control group. Serum magnesium concentrations at 90 min after its administration were significantly higher than baseline. We concluded that vecuronium priming with magnesium pretreatment inhibits the hypertension associated with tracheal intubation and shortens the onset time of vecuronium, but prolongs it duration of action.