Articles: neuromuscular-blocking-agents-adverse-effects.
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Twenty patients (23-76 yr) were studied with regard to lung tissue changes prior to and following induction of general anesthesia with muscular relaxation, and another four subjects were studied for a longer period awake. The transverse thoracic area and the structure of the lung tissue were determined by computerized tomography. No abnormalities in the lung tissue were noted before anesthesia. ⋯ The application of positive end-expiratory pressure of 10 cmH2O eliminated or reduced the densities. The four awake subjects showed no lung densities after 90 min in the supine position. It is suggested that these crest-shaped densities represent atelectases, which develop by compression of lung tissue rather than by resorption of gas.
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Sixty one patients who had suffered intra-operative anaphylactoid reactions were studied. Intradermal testing identified the causative agent in 84% of cases and, in 75% of these, muscle relaxants were responsible. ⋯ The incidence of previous exposure was considerably higher than that reported in the literature. Pancuronium is suggested to be the least likely currently available agent to provoke a major anaphylactoid reaction.
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We present 3 patients with chronic renal failure who had postoperative paralysis due to the administration muscle relaxants. One of them received gallamine, a non-depolarizing blocking agent that is mainly excreted by the kidney (70--90%). Two of them received pancuronium bromide, also a non-depolarizing blocking agent which is partially excreted by the kidneys (37--44%). ⋯ These active metabolites are excreted by the kidney. These patients serve as examples of the importance of considering the route of excretion of drugs and their metabolites in clinical situations involving the renal failure patient. The pharmacology of drugs administered relative to surgical procedures is reviewed.