Articles: neuromuscular-blocking-agents-adverse-effects.
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In the intensive care unit (ICU), neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) is occasionally used with sedatives and/or analgesics, for the management of mechanically-ventilated critically ill patients. For its application in ICU, close attention should be paid on the side effects unlikely seen during operation because the basal conditions of ICU patients are more serious and its infusion period is likely to be long. There have been reports of the prolonged weakness after the long term use of NMBA. ⋯ Strategy should be focused on its prevention. For example, routine monitoring with peripheral nerve stimulation and titration to the minimum dose of requirement, are relevant and effective. The application of NMBA in ICU is reviewed and rocuronium recently placed on market is within the scope of this article.
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Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are widely used during the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Postoperative residual curarization (PORC) following the use of NMBAs still occurs even though intermediate-acting NMBAs were used. Train-of-four (TOF) stimulation is used to quantify the degree of neuromuscular blockade. The TOF ratio of 0.7 in the adductor pollicis muscle was associated with normal respiratory function. Pharyngeal function returned to normal while the TOF ratio reached 0.9. The aim of this study was to survey the PORC in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). ⋯ PORC is still a clinical problem in the modern PACU. Objective neuromuscular monitoring needs to be performed to ensure patient safety.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2008
Residual neuromuscular blockade and critical respiratory events in the postanesthesia care unit.
Incomplete recovery of neuromuscular function may impair pulmonary and upper airway function and contribute to adverse respiratory events in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). The aim of this investigation was to assess and quantify the severity of neuromuscular blockade in patients with signs or symptoms of critical respiratory events (CREs) in the PACU. ⋯ A high incidence of severe residual blockade was observed in patients with CREs, which was absent in control patients without CREs. These findings suggest that incomplete neuromuscular recovery is an important contributing factor in the development of adverse respiratory events in the PACU.
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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).