Prolonged Weakness after Long-Term Infusion of Vecuronium Bromide

Abstract

Brief Reports15 September 1992Prolonged Weakness after Long-Term Infusion of Vecuronium BromideYizhak Kupfer, MD, Tatsuji Namba, MD, PhD, Emad Kaldawi, MD, Sidney Tessler, MDYizhak Kupfer, MD, Tatsuji Namba, MD, PhD, Emad Kaldawi, MD, Sidney Tessler, MDAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-117-6-484 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptVecuronium bromide is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent chemically similar to pancuronium, but with minimal cardiovascular side effects (1). Unlike other neuromuscular blocking agents, vecuronium does not cause significant histamine release, which can lead to bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma. Because of its short duration of action, vecuronium can be administered by continuous intravenous infusion. In patients without renal impairment, large doses do not result in accumulation. Thus, vecuronium appears to be an ideal agent to achieve muscle relaxation for patients with respiratory failure, especially status asthmaticus.In recent years, reports have linked prolonged use of neuromuscular blocking agents to...References1. MorrisCahalanMillerWilkinsonQuashaRobinson RMRPAS. The cardiovascular effects of vecuronium (ORG NC 45) and pancuronium in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Anesthesiology. 1983;58:438-40. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. SegredoMatthaySharmaGruenkeCaldwellMiller VMMLJR. Prolonged neuromuscular blockade after long term administration of vecuronium in two critically ill patients. Anesthesiology. 1990;72:566-70. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. PartridgeAbramsBazemoreRubin BJCR. Prolonged neuromuscular blockade after long term infusion of vecuronium bromide in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Med. 1990;18:1177-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. ShanksLongAitkenhead ATA. Prolonged neuromuscular blockade following vecuronium. A case report. Br J Anaesth. 1985; 57:807-10. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. SlaterPollardDoran RBB. Prolonged neuromuscular blockade with vecuronium in renal failure. Anaesthesia. 1988;43:250. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. GoochSuchytaBalbierzPetajanClemmer JMJJT. Prolonged paralysis after treatment with neuromuscular junction blocking agents. Crit Care Med. 1991;19:1125-31. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. KupferOkrentTwerskyTessler YDRS. Disuse atrophy in a ventilated patient with status asthmaticus receiving neuromuscular blockade. Crit Care Med. 1987;15:795-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. StarsnicGoldbergRitterMarratSosisLarijani MMDMG. Does vecuronium accumulate in the renal transplant patient? Can J Anaesth. 1989;36:35-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Van MarieWoods WK. Acute hydrocortisone myopathy. BMJ. 1980;281:271-2. CrossrefGoogle Scholar10. ZochodneBoltonWellsGilbertHahnBrown DCGJAJ. Critical illness polyneuropathy. A complication of sepsis and multiple organ failure. Brain. 1987;110:819-42. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York. For current author addresses, see end of text. 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Paralysis after Vecuronium AdministrationVecuronium bromide 15 September 1992Volume 117, Issue 6Page: 484-486KeywordsAsthmaCritical careHistamineMusclesMuscular dystrophiesNeuromuscular diseasesRespiratory failure Issue Published: 15 September 1992 PDF DownloadLoading ...