BACKGROUND Activation of mast cells and systemic release of histamine are major side effects of intravenously administered muscle relaxants. In the current study, dermal microdialysis was used for the investigation of mast cell activation by muscle relaxants. Dermal microdialysis enabled simultaneous assessment of mediator release, vascular reactions, and sensory effects induced by intradermal ...

The interaction of four inhalational anesthetics (sevoflurane, isoflurane, enflurane and halothane) with pancuronium and vecuronium and also their prejunctional actions at the neuromuscular junction were quantitatively studied using rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations. To investigate the prejunctional effects of inhalational anesthetics, a train-of-four ratio (T4/T1) and the tetanus ra...

CONTENT Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially lethal pharmacogenetic disorder that affects genetically predisposed individuals. It manifests in susceptible individuals in response to exposure to Inhalant anesthetics, depolarizing muscle relaxants or extreme physical activity in hot environments. During exposure to these triggering agents, there is a rapid and sustained increase of myopla...

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal pharmacogenetic syndrome caused by exposure to halogenated volatile anesthetics and/or depolarizing muscle relaxants. We have measured intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) using double-barreled, Ca(2+)-selective microelectrodes in myoballs prepared from skeletal muscle of MH-susceptible (MHS) and MH-nonsusceptible (MHN) swine. Resti...

Muscle relaxants in intensive care unit (ICU) patients are predominantly administered to facilitate intubation. The adverse effect profile of succinylcholine is such that its use in the ICU must be considered obsolete. Suitable alternatives are the intermediately long-acting nondepolarizing relaxants, of which rocuronium is probably preferable.