Practice parameters for sustained neuromuscular blockade in the adult critically ill patient

Abstract

A consensus of experts provided three recommendations with supporting data for achieving sustained neuromuscular blockade in critically ill patients: a) pancuronium is the preferred neuromuscular blocking agent for most critically ill patients; b) vecuronium is the preferred neuromuscular blocking agent for those patients with cardiac disease or hemodynamic instability in whom tachycardia may be deleterious; c) patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents should be appropriately assessed for the degree of blockade that is being sustained. This executive summary selectively presents supporting information and is not intended as a substitute for the complete document.