Middle East journal of anaesthesiology
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Middle East J Anaesthesiol · Jun 2008
Review Case ReportsTachyphylaxis to cisatracurium--case reports and literature review.
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NNMBAs) are commonly used in the intensive care unit (ICU), mainly to facilitate mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients who are not responding to sedatives and analgesics alone. Tachyphylaxis, also referred to as resistance, may develop during long-term infusion of NNMBAs. Several case reports of tachyphylaxis to NNMBAs have been reported. ⋯ Tachyphylaxis to NNMBAs is associated with adverse outcomes including inadequate ventilation, increased risk of dose-dependent side effects, and increased drug costs. Patients who develop tachyphylaxis to one NNMBA should be treated with another NNMBA if neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is still indicated. We report three cases of tachyphylaxis to cisatracurium in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU): one in patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the other two with traumatic brain injury (TBI).