title: Pharmacokinetics of atracurium and laudanosine in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
abstract: The pharmacokinetic profiles of atracurium and one of its derivatives, laudanosine were studied following an i.v. bolus of atracurium 0.6 mg kg-1 administered to eight patients with hepatic cirrhosis and to seven healthy controls. The central volume of distribution of atracurium was greater in the patients with cirrhosis (104.6 ml kg-1) compared with the controls (69.6 ml kg-1) (P less than 0.05), as was the total volume of distribution (281.8 ml kg-1 and 202.1 ml kg-1, respectively) (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in the elimination half-life of atracurium between the two groups. The total volume of distribution of laudanosine was increased in cirrhotic patients (2.68 litre kg-1) (P less than 0.05), as was its elimination half-life (277 min in cirrhotic individuals; 168 min in controls) (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in the clearance of laudanosine between the two groups.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Liverpool Hospital.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D001279:Atracurium / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D001279:Atracurium; C001522:laudanosine