Abstract
The effect of low-dose (20 ng·kg−1·min−1) infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade was studied. The study population consisted of 24 elderly patients (65–75 years old) and 24 younger adult patients (25–56 years old). They were randomly assigned to the control and PGE1 groups. The steady-state dose requirement (SSDR) of vecuronium was derived from ondemand infusion of the drug which produced a stable twitch height of 20% of its baseline reading, and recovery time after steady-state infusion was defined as the time for recovery from twitch height from 25% to 75%. The patients in the PGE1 group received an infusion of PGE1 20 ng·kg−1·min−1, while those in the control group received an infusion of normal saline. The SSDR (23.2±9.1 and 34.2±5.9 μg·kg−1. hr−1, respectively;P=0.02) was significantly less and the recovery time (35.0±9.5 and 19.9±4.2 min, respectively;P=0.01) was significantly longer in the elderly than in the younger patients. However, low-dose infusion of PGE1 significantly increased the SSDR (23.2±9.1 to 37.4±3.7 μg· kg−1·hr−1;P=0.01) and shortened the recovery time (35.0±9.5 to 23.5±4.0 min;P=0.02) in elderly patients. We concluded that low-dose infusion of PGE1 is effective in preventing the prolonged action of vecuronium in elderly patients.
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Yamada, T., Yoshiyama, R., Iida, Y. et al. Effect of low-dose infusion of prostaglandin E1 on vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. J Anesth 9, 121–124 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479841
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479841