Effect of arterial carbon dioxide tension on the duration of action of atracurium.
The duration of action of atracurium was studied in two groups of patients. In group I (n = 15), patients' lungs were hyperventilated to a mean PaCO2 of 3.3 kPa and in group II (n = 15) lungs were ventilated to maintain a mean PaCO2 of 5.3 kPa. Anaesthesia was maintained using an infusion of propofol. The time taken to return to a T1 twitch height of 10% of control was measured following each incremental dose of atracurium 0.15 mg kg-1. It was found that the duration of action of atracurium was significantly (P less than 0.0005) shorter in the hypocapnic group.
Platt
M
M
National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, London.
Hayward
A
A
Cooper
A
A
Hirsch
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D001279:Atracurium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010313:Partial Pressure; D013997:Time Factors
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D001279:Atracurium