Clinical pharmacology of atracurium given in high dose.

TitleClinical pharmacology of atracurium given in high dose.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1986
AuthorsScott RP, Savarese JJ, Basta SJ, Embree P, Ali HH, Sunder N, Hoaglin DC
JournalBr J Anaesth
Volume58
Issue8
Pagination834-8
Date Published1986 Aug
ISSN0007-0912
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Atracurium, Drug Evaluation, Hemodynamics, Histamine, Humans, Intubation, Intratracheal, Isoquinolines, Middle Aged, Muscle Contraction, Neuromuscular Blocking Agents, Time Factors
Abstract

The safety and efficacy of atracurium 0.8 mg kg-1 was determined in healthy patients with particular attention to the speed of onset of blockade, and to changes in haemodynamic variables. Atracurium 0.8 mg kg-1 had a shorter onset time than atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1, and satisfactory intubating conditions were achieved earlier. "Priming" produced no significant improvement in onset time or intubating conditions. Onset times were significantly shorter with nitrous oxide-opioid anaesthesia than following thiopentone alone. Although a 0.8-mg kg-1 bolus resulted in a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure to 75% of control and was associated with a significant increase in plasma histamine concentrations, this response could be prevented by injecting the drug over 75 s. "Priming" or a 30-s injection produced no haemodynamic protection. The protection achieved by pretreatment with anti-histamines was incomplete: mean arterial pressure decreased to 83% of control.

Alternate JournalBr J Anaesth
PubMed ID3755347