Clinical pharmacology of vecuronium in children. Studies during nitrous oxide and halothane in oxygen anaesthesia.
Forty-seven children (ASA I or II) were studied during nitrous oxide-oxygen, halothane anaesthesia. The dose-response curve for vecuronium was determined after the injection of a single bolus (40, 55 or 70 micrograms kg-1) to 33 patients. The ED50 and ED95 were 31 and 64 micrograms kg-1 respectively. Fourteen children received a larger dose (100 micrograms kg-1); good intubating conditions were obtained in all of these within 2 min. After a single bolus (100 micrograms kg-1) the duration of action was 36.5 min and the recovery index was 9.3 min. In patients who received small maintenance doses (25 micrograms kg-1) after a single bolus (100 micrograms kg-1) the recovery index after the last maintenance dose was not increased. There were no significant changes in heart rate or arterial pressure. In children, vecuronium has a short duration of action and lacks cumulative or cardiovascular side affects.
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006221:Halothane; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen; D013997:Time Factors; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen; D006221:Halothane