Suxamethonium apnoea masked by tetrahydroaminacrine.
A case is reported of a patient who was given THA with suxamethonium and who demonstrated a prolonged apnoea. This patient was later shown to have a variant cholinesterase enzyme. The different techniques of THA and suxamethonium administration are discussed and it is suggested that an initial dose of suxamethonium should precede a THA-suxamethonium combination in order to try and avoid a prolonged apnoea.
D000166:Acridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D001049:Apnea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000172:deficiency*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013619:Tacrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000166:Acridines; D013619:Tacrine; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases; D013390:Succinylcholine