title: Pseudocholinesterase activity and atracurium v. suxamethonium block.
abstract: Serum pseudocholinesterase activity in pregnant women was assayed spectrophotometrically using either propionylthiocholine or suxamethonium as substrate. All patients had a normal phenotype as indicated by normal dibucaine and fluoride numbers. However, the mean cholinesterase activity was lower than in the general population. There was a negative correlation between cholinesterase activity and the duration of neuromuscular blockade following suxamethonium, but no correlation was observed between the cholinesterase activity and the duration of block following atracurium.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001279:Atracurium; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D001279:Atracurium; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases; D013390:Succinylcholine