Potential clinical uses of short-acting nondepolarizing neuromuscular-blocking agents as predicted from animal experiments.

It is readily evident that a short-acting nondepolarizing agent suitable for clinical use would be of value in anesthesiology. The most commonly used short-acting relaxant, succinylcholine, is a depolarizing drug, with all the side effects inherent in such agents. The authors have investigated the actions of several short-acting nondepolarizing ester neuromuscular-blocking drug in comparison with succinylcholine, and theri interactions with d-tubocurarine, and inhibitors of true and plasma cholinesterase. Two experimental agents, HH-85 and JJ-142, are examples. Tests in animals suggest areas of extrapolation to human use.