Relationship between volume of distribution of atracurium and body weight.
We have determined the central and steady state volumes of distribution of atracurium 0.25 mg kg-1 in 41 healthy adult patients. Volume of distribution, corrected for body weight (ml kg-1); correlated negatively with body weight (r = -0.612 for central volume of distribution; r = -0.737 for the steady state volume of distribution). When expressed as an absolute volume, neither central nor steady state volume of distribution correlated significantly with body weight (r = 0.120 and r = 0.131, respectively). These data cast doubt upon the necessity for the dose of atracurium to be related to body weight in the healthy adult population.
Parker
C J
CJ
University Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Hunter
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001279:Atracurium / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D001279:Atracurium