title: Comparison of thumb acceleration and thenar EMG in a pharmacodynamic study of alcuronium.
abstract: We compared thumb acceleration (Acc) and thenar electromyography (EMG) techniques by evaluating the neuromuscular blocking properties of alcuronium in 14 ASA physical status I patients. The dose-response curves determined by the two techniques were parallel but the EMG-curve was shifted 25% to the right (P less than 0.001). Acc reflected 8-11% greater neuromuscular block than simultaneous EMG in every patients (P less than 0.05). Concurrently, the duration of greater than 90% neuromuscular block maintained by alcuronium 280 micrograms/kg was significantly longer when measured by the Acc transducer (30 vs. 19 min, P less than 0.001). Although the TOF ratios were in good correlation (r2 = 0.82), clinically significant differences existed between the two simultaneous techniques. The results underline the importance of the method of assessment of neuromuscular transmission when evaluating the action of neuromuscular blocking drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Meretoja
authors.forename: M U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wirtavuori
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luosto
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D000443:Alcuronium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013933:Thumb; D014117:Toxiferine
chemical_list: D014117:Toxiferine; D000443:Alcuronium