title: Onset and duration of clinical relaxation of atracurium and vecuronium in patients on chronic nifedipine therapy.
abstract: The onset and duration of clinical relaxation of atracurium and vecuronium were studied in patients on chronic nifedipine therapy and compared to similar groups of patients not on such a therapy. Neuromuscular block was monitored by recording the integrated electromyogram of the hypothenar muscles (using a 'Datex Relaxograph') following stimulation of the ulnar nerve with a train-of-four stimulation. Neither the time to onset of maximum block (3.0-3.4 min) nor the duration of clinical relaxation (36-40 min) differed significantly between the groups indicating no significant interaction in humans between atracurium and vecuronium and chronic nifedipine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Anaesthesia, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mirakhur
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001279:Atracurium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001279:Atracurium; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D009543:Nifedipine