title: Double-blind comparison of two doses of rocuronium and succinylcholine for rapid-sequence intubation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the pharmacodynamics of two commonly recommended doses of rocuronium bromide (0.7 mg/kg and 0.9 mg/kg) and succinylcholine (1.5 mg/kg) when used for rapid-sequence intubation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, double-blind, randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operating rooms at a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  45 ASA physical status I and II adult patients scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonpremedicated patients were anesthetized with fentanyl 2 mcg/kg followed by thiopental sodium 4 to 5 mg/kg and muscle relaxant using rapid-sequence technique. Group 1 (n = 15) received rocuronium bromide 0.7 mg/kg. Group 2 (n = 16) received rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg/kg, and Group 3 (n = 14) received succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg. Intubation was performed 60 seconds after the administration of muscle relaxant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The case of intubation was scored using a scale of 1 to 4. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured beginning one minute before induction of anesthesia up to 5 minutes after intubation. Intubation scores were similar in groups 2 and 3 and were noted as good or excellent in all patients. Group 1 displayed a significantly lower intubation score than the other two groups; 60% were rated as poor. No significant differences in hemodynamic data were seen among the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rocuronium bromide at a dose of 0.9 mg/kg provides intubating conditions similar to succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg at 1 minute. Intubating conditions at 1 minute following a 0.7 mg/kg dose of rocuronium are not as good as those following a 0.9 mg/kg dose of rocuronium or a 1.5 mg/kg dose of succinylcholine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gratz
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afshar
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Insinga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Larijani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000732:Androstanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077123:Rocuronium; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D013390:Succinylcholine; D000077123:Rocuronium