Neuromuscular blocking effects of rocuronium during desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane anaesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the magnitude of the potentiation of rocuronium by desflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane 1.5 MAC anaesthesia.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomised, study in 80 patients, the cumulative dose-effect curves for rocuronium were determined during anaesthesia with desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane (with N2O 70%, 15 min steady state) or total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) using propofol/fentanyl. Neuromuscular block was assessed by acceleromyography (TOF-Guard) after train-of-four (TOF) stimulation of the ulnar nerve (2 Hz every 12 sec, 200 microseconds duration). Rocuronium was administered in increments of 100 micrograms.kg-1 until first twitch (T1) depression > 95%.


RESULTS
Rocuronium led to more pronounced T1 depression with desflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia than with TIVA. The ED50 and ED95 were lower during desflurane (95 +/- 25 and 190 +/- 80 micrograms.kg-1) and sevoflurane (120 +/- 30 and 210 +/- 40 micrograms.kg-1) than with TIVA (150 +/- 40 and 310 +/- 90 micrograms.kg-1) (P < .01), while the difference was not significant for isoflurane (130 +/- 40 and 250 +/- 90 micrograms.kg-1). Following equi-effective dosing (T1 > 95%) the duration to 25% T1 recovery, recovery index (25/75), and TOF0.70 was: 13.2 +/- 1.8, 12.7 +/- 3.4, and 26.9 +/- 5.7 min during anaesthesia with desflurane; 15.5 +/- 5.0, 11.4 +/- 3.8, and 31.0 +/- 6.0 min with sevoflurane; 13.9 +/- 4.7, 10.7 +/- 3.3, and 26.3 +/- 8.9 min with isoflurane; and 13.9 +/- 3.9, 11.3 +/- 5.7, and 27.5 +/- 8.2 min with TIVA anaesthesia (P: NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Interaction of rocuronium and volatile anaesthetics resulted in augmentation of the intensity of neuromuscular block but did not result in significant effects on duration of or recovery from the block.
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hospital of the Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany. WULF@ANAESTHESIE.UNI-KIEL.DE
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Wulf
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Ledowski
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Linstedt
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Proppe
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Sitzlack
D000328:Adult; D000732:Androstanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077335:Desflurane; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077123:Rocuronium; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000187:drug effects
D000732:Androstanols; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane; D005283:Fentanyl; D000077123:Rocuronium; D015742:Propofol