title: Assessment of neuromuscular blockade produced by atracurium in the rat diaphragm preparation. Measurements of tetanic fade, depression and recovery profile.
abstract: The effect of atracurium, a relatively new muscle relaxant, on neuromuscular transmission, in the rat diaphragm preparation, was studied, by analysing the characteristic features of tetanic fade and recovery pattern following a blocking concentration of atracurium (10 microns). Tetanic fade (TF) and peak tetanic tension (Tp) and its depression by atracurium, were analysed and the results were interpreted in terms of atracurium action at the neuromuscular junction. Atracurium reduced the sustained tetanic tension, elicited at 50 Hz for 0.5 s duration, and produced a marked tetanic fade in 38 s. Atracurium also reduced the peak tetanic tension by 40%, of the control value, in 38 s. Maximum tetanic tension was 5.7 g tension, and the time taken to completely block the tetanus was 4.75 +/- 0.15 min (means +/- SE, n = 8). Recovery from atracurium-induced blockade occurred in 30s (tetanic fade) and in 3-4 min (peak tetanic tension). It was concluded that atracurium produces a profound tetanic fade, at a time when the peak tetanic tension is reduced by only 40%. The data presented indicate that atracurium has a rapid onset of blockade, intermediate duration and a quick recovery profile at the rat neuromuscular junction.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthetics Unit, London Hospital Medical College, Whitechapel.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Wali
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Suer
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Dark
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tugwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001279:Atracurium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000187:drug effects; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D001279:Atracurium