title: Pharmacodynamics of mivacurium in infants.
abstract: A computerized infusion system was used to determine mivacurium infusion requirements to maintain 95% and 50% neuromuscular block in 15 infants less than 1 yr of age. Neuromuscular block was measured by adductor pollicis EMG and anaesthesia maintained with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen and alfentanil 50-100 micrograms kg-1 h-1. Neuromuscular block was produced by repeated bolus doses of mivacurium 0.1 mg kg-1; subsequently the target neuromuscular block was maintained by a closed loop infusion. Dose potency of mivacurium was similar to that previously published in children with a similar anaesthetic technique. Mean mivacurium requirement for 95% neuromuscular block was 820 (SD 300) micrograms kg-1 h-1, which represented an hourly requirement of 6.6 (1.5) individual ED95 doses. Infusion requirement for 50% neuromuscular block was 320 (150) micrograms kg-1 h-1. These infusion rates were similar to those in children. No side effects of mivacurium were noticed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Children's Hospital University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Meretoja
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taivainen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wirtavuori
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Olkkola
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003201:Computers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000077590:Mivacurium; D009407:Nerve Block; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D000077590:Mivacurium