title: Magnesium sulphate enhances residual neuromuscular block induced by vecuronium.
abstract: Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is currently used for haemodynamic control during anaesthesia and the early postoperative period. We have investigated the effect of this treatment on residual neuromuscular block after administration of vecuronium. Twenty adult patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups to receive MgSO4 60 mg kg-1 either at recovery from vecuronium block to a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of 0.7, or 1 h after recovery to a TOF ratio of 0.7. Neuromuscular transmission was monitored using electromyography and TOF stimulation. MgSO4 caused rapid and profound recurarization in all 20 patients. MgSO4 decreased the amount of acetylcholine released at the motor nerve terminal and thus may lead to recurarization in patients previously exposed to neuromuscular blocking agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fuchs-Buder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tassonyi
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009407:Nerve Block; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide