title: A dose-response evaluation of pipecuronium bromide in elderly patients under balanced anesthesia.
abstract: Pipecuronium bromide is a new steroidal non-depolarizing muscle relaxant currently under investigation. It is similar to pancuronium with respect to the duration of action, but lacking its cardiovascular side effects. We examined the dose-response relation of pipecuronium in 27 patients, ages 66-79 years, utilizing the incremental dose method under balanced anesthesia. The ED50, ED90 and ED95 were 22.42 (5.2) mcg/kg, 31.81 (6.9) mcg/kg and 35.12 (7.8) mcg/kg, respectively (log probit method). Our recovery data also demonstrate that residual neuromuscular blockade due to pipecuronium can easily be antagonized with neostigmine as long as spontaneous recovery of T1- at the time of reversal administration is greater than 13%. The authors conclude that under balanced anesthesia the cumulative dose-response of pipecuronium in the elderly patients is consistent with those previously described for younger population. Therefore, no dose adjustment appears necessary for the elderly. However, as with all medications, careful administration is appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Azad
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Larijani
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Seltzer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000732:Androstanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000758:Anesthesia; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009388:Neostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017300:Pipecuronium; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D017300:Pipecuronium; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D009388:Neostigmine