title: Prolonged infusion of atracurium in an infant.
abstract: Atracurium is a neuromuscular blocking agent that spontaneously degrades by Hoffmann reaction. This study of a prolonged infusion (7 days) in an infant of 6 months shows an increase in infusion rate requirement from 0.7 mg/kg/h after 96 h of infusion to 1.8 mg/kg/h at the 7th day. The plasma laudanosine levels remained relatively constant (977-1,515 ng/ml) and well below the reported potent convulsive levels during the study despite a 3-fold increase in the atracurium requirement. No side effect or accumulation of the drug was observed. The reasons for the increase in atracurium requirement are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tabardel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paquay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Senterre
mesh_terms: D001279:Atracurium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000097:blood; D011182:Postoperative Care
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D001279:Atracurium; C001522:laudanosine