title: High-performance liquid chromatography as a diagnostic tool in prolonged neuromuscular blockade.
abstract: We report the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify the cause of prolonged neuromuscular blockade in a child who had received 2 mg.kg-1 of succinylcholine. Upon analysis by HPLC the syringe was found to contain succinylcholine (10 mg.ml-1) and also atracurium (5 mg.ml-1), so that a diagnosis was established. In situations where medication errors are suspected, we recommend saving syringe contents for analysis for confirmation of the agent.
authors.affiliation: SUNY Health Science Center, Department of Anaesthesiology, Syracuse 13210.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mangar
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D001279:Atracurium / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000032:analysis*; D013594:Syringes; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001279:Atracurium; D013390:Succinylcholine