title: EMG spike trains of succinylcholine-induced fasciculations in myalgic patients.
abstract: Single spike activity from the surface electromyogram (EMG) of fasciculations induced by succinylcholine (Sch) were studied from limb muscles (biceps, triceps, anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius) in 100 female patients. About 2/3 of them (n = 72) also received nondepolarizing neuromuscular pretreatment (atracurium or vecuronium). We observed from 20% of EMG records in the myalgic (but not in the nonmyalgic) patients, sustained spike trains (mean duration 1.47 s) that resembled motor units firing at physiologically high rates (mean 21.7 spikes/s). The finding reflects Sch's distal actions at the muscle spindle. The implications for myalgia and the possible involvement of micro damage at the extrafusal muscles are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005207:Fasciculation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D013390:Succinylcholine