title: Automatic control of neuromuscular block with atracurium.
abstract: We have developed and tested a system for providing automatic control of neuromuscular block with atracurium. The degree of neuromuscular block was monitored in the small muscles of the hand using a Datex Relaxograph, and the signal was used as the controlled variable for a proportional plus integral controller. A preloaded integral was used to shorten the period of stabilization. The system was tested in 36 patients undergoing surgery and found to produce stable block. For a target T1 of 20% of control value, the mean block was 18.7 (SD 1.3) % of baseline T1 and the mean consumption of atracurium was 5.39 (SD 1.23) micrograms kg-1 min-1. The block was sufficiently stable to act as a background for studies of pharmacological and physiological interactions with atracurium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: MacLeod
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Asbury
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Linkens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001279:Atracurium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001279:Atracurium