title: [Clinical evaluation of atracurium besylate in patients at risk: major burns].
abstract: Atracurium besylate 0.5 mg/kg-1, an intermediate-duration non-depolarizing neuromuscular relaxant, was administered slowly (over 75 sec) in anesthesia induction of 61 patients with major thermal injury undergoing surgical excision and immediate skin-grafting procedures. Patients' mean +/- SD age was 40 +/- 9, body weight 64 +/- 2, burn size ranging from 20% to 90% of body surface area (BSA), postburn day of surgery 5th and more. Induction of anesthesia was carried out with sodium thiopental 2-5 mg/kg-1 plus fentanyl 2.8 micrograms/kg-1 e.v. and after few minutes atracurium 0.5 mg/kg-1 e.v. Anesthesia was maintained with N2O/O2 (70%/30%), isoflurane and small amounts of fentanyl. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded at I, II, III, IV, V min post atracurium administration. The endotracheal intubation conditions were assessed by a "IOT score". Results are expressed as mean value +/- standard deviation. The significance of the difference in mean values was analysed by t-test. Little haemodynamic changes occurred; intubating conditions showed a relative hyposensitivity of burn patients to atracurium, more severely burned patients (greater than 50-60%) exhibiting greater resistance.
authors.affiliation: I Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, USL n. 4, Bassa Est, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Eramo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stocchetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vezzani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia; D001279:Atracurium; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001279:Atracurium
vernacular_title: Valutazione clinica dell'atracurium besilato nei pazienti a rischio: il grande ustionato.