title: Pharmacodynamics of mivacurium in children, using a computer-controlled infusion.
abstract: A computerized infusion system was used to determine requirement for a mivacurium infusion to maintain a 95% and a 50% neuromuscular block in 21 children aged 1-15 yr. 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. The targeted neuromuscular block was reached within mean 5 (SD 3) min from initiation of an infusion. Mivacurium requirement for 95% neuromuscular block was 950 (350) micrograms kg-1 h-1, which represented an hourly requirement of 6.8 (1.6) individual ED95 doses. Infusion requirement for 50% neuromuscular block averaged 350 (150) micrograms kg-1 h-1. There was a significant negative correlation between infusion rate and age of a patient. Great individual variation of the infusion rate makes a computerized infusion an easy method to achieve and maintain a desired level of neuromuscular block. No side effects of mivacurium were noticed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Hospital University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Meretoja
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Olkkola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003201:Computers; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077590:Mivacurium; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D000077590:Mivacurium