title: Post-tetanic count and intense neuromuscular blockade with vecuronium in children.
abstract: Sixty children undergoing surgery were allocated, according to weight, to three equal groups. Each child received a loading dose of vecuronium 80 micrograms kg-1 followed immediately by an infusion set initially at 1.4 micrograms kg-1 min-1. The subsequent intense neuromuscular blockade was assessed using the post-tetanic count (PTC). Maintaining the PTC between 5 and 15 ensured adequate paralysis which was antagonized easily 6-18 min after stopping the infusion. However, the duration of the initial intense block was unpredictable and the use of a peripheral nerve stimulator is advisable, particularly in smaller infants (less than 5 kg). The results suggest that vecuronium accumulated after 3 h infusion and that has less presynaptic effect than atracurium.
authors.affiliation: Hospital For Sick Children, London.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ridley
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Braude
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014673:Vecuronium Bromide