Comparison of thumb acceleration and thenar EMG in a pharmacodynamic study of alcuronium |
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Authors: | O A Meretoja M U Werner K Wirtavuori T Luosto |
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Affiliation: | Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland. |
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Abstract: | We compared thumb acceleration (Acc) and thenar electromyography (EMG) techniques by evaluating the neuromuscular blocking properties of alcuronium in 14 ASA physical status I patients. The dose-response curves determined by the two techniques were parallel but the EMG-curve was shifted 25% to the right (P less than 0.001). Acc reflected 8-11% greater neuromuscular block than simultaneous EMG in every patients (P less than 0.05). Concurrently, the duration of greater than 90% neuromuscular block maintained by alcuronium 280 micrograms/kg was significantly longer when measured by the Acc transducer (30 vs. 19 min, P less than 0.001). Although the TOF ratios were in good correlation (r2 = 0.82), clinically significant differences existed between the two simultaneous techniques. The results underline the importance of the method of assessment of neuromuscular transmission when evaluating the action of neuromuscular blocking drugs. |
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Keywords: | Monitoring: acceleration transducer EMG nerve stimulation train-of-four neuromuscular blocking agents: alcuronium |
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