title: The effects of vecuronium on intra-ocular pressure.
abstract: The effects of vecuronium on intra-ocular pressure were investigated in doses of 0.1 mg/kg during steady state anaesthesia (n = 5), 0.1 mg/kg as part of a normal sequence induction preceded by thiopentone (n = 10), and 0.15 mg/kg as part of a rapid sequence induction with vecuronium administered prior to thiopentone (n = 10). Administration of vecuronium during steady state anaesthesia was associated with a significant decrease. Vecuronium produced a small reduction in pressure during a normal sequence induction, following a significant reduction after thiopentone. Tracheal intubation during normal sequence and rapid sequence inductions produced increases in pressure above the pre-intubation value (significantly so in the case of normal sequence induction); however, the intra-ocular pressure always remained below the pre-induction value, which suggests that vecuronium 0.15 mg/kg is a suitable relaxant as part of a rapid sequence induction technique where the use of suxamethonium is contraindicated.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D013874:Thiopental / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D013874:Thiopental; D005283:Fentanyl