Competitive antagonists to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are clinically used as muscle relaxants. Previously, we reported the kinetics of inhibition (in the absence of acetylcholine) by (+)-tubocurarine and pancuronium on embryonic receptors. Here, we examine cisatracurium, a commonly used muscle relaxant. Outside-out patches were equilibrated with cisatracurium before application of 300 mi...

The pharmacokinetic models proposed for atracurium or cisatracurium are based on the assumption that spontaneous degradation via Hofmann elimination proceeds in vivo at the same rate as measured in vitro at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. As different degradation rates have been reported for all 10 stereoisomers of atracurium measured together, for each of its three isomeric groups, and for the single...

PURPOSE To investigate the influence of age on the neuromuscular blocking effect of cisatracurium. METHODS 90 patients with ASA I and II were assigned to the following groups according to their age: adults, children, and infants. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the first dose of cisatracurium. Patients were administrated at a first dose of cisatracurium randomly, a...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Different drugs, including hypnotics, may influence the pharmacodynamic effects of neuromuscular blockers (NMB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of propofol and etomidate on cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular blockade. METHOD We included 60 patients, ASA I and II, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia in the study and randomly alloc...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Since atracurium can cause hypotension in humans, the hemodynamic effects of atracurium and cisatracurium as well as the hemodynamic protection of diphenhydramine and cimetidine were investigated in rats. METHODS 1) Wistar rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and prepared according to Brown et al. to evaluate different doses of atracurium and cisatracuriu...

BACKGROUND Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMB) differ in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. An anesthesiologist according to these similarities and differences is able to choose the least costly one if the same safety profile and same clinical benefit achieved with the different alternatives. AIM The main objective of this study is to evaluate the economic and ad...

BACKGROUND Increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) following tracheal intubation during general anesthesia can be troublesome. We compared the influence of two muscle relaxants, cisatracurium and atracurium, on IOP in patients undergoing general anesthesia. METHODS This randomized, double-blind, comparative trial was conducted on 90 candidates for elective non-ophthalmic surgery under general ...

We have evaluated the enhancement of cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular block by potent inhalation anaesthetic agents, by constructing dose-effect curves for cisatracurium in 84 patients during anaesthesia with 1.5 MAC (70% nitrous oxide) desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane or total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA). Acceleromyography (TOF-Guard) and train-of-four (TOF) stimulation of the ulnar nerve we...

BACKGROUND The duration of action of neuromuscular blocking drugs (NBDs) varies between individuals and even within individuals in different settings. OBJECTIVES To define predictors of variance in duration of action of rocuronium and cisatracurium administered long-term. METHODS A prospective, double-blind, multicenter trial that included 113 patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery ...

BACKGROUND The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate dose effects of ephedrine pretreatment on the onset time and intubating conditions after cisatracurium administration. METHODS A total of 140 adult patients were randomized into 4 groups to receive either 30 µg/kg ephedrine (Group 30, n = 35), 70 µg/kg ephedrine (Group 70, n = 35), 110 µg/kg ephedrin...