Xenon does not modify mivacurium induced neuromuscular block.
OBJECTIVE
The interaction between mivacurium and inhaled anesthetics is known, with the exception of xenon. We compared the pharmacodynamics of mivacurium during xenon anesthesia vs total iv anesthesia with propofol.


METHODS
This randomized controlled trial was carried out in the Aachen University Hospital. Forty-two adult patients ASA I or II, aged 18 to 60 yr, were randomized to receive either xenon or propofol anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil in both groups (each n = 21). The xenon group received xenon via face mask until an end-expiratory concentration of 60% was reached for one minute. Meanwhile, the acceleromyograph was calibrated and a train-of-four stimulation of the adductor pollicis muscle was started. After stabilization of the signal for five minutes, a single bolus of 0.16 mg.kg-1 mivacurium was injected. Anesthesia was maintained with xenon and remifentanil or with propofol and remifentanil.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between groups with respect to onset time (xenon 180 +/- 64 vs propofol 195 +/- 77 sec; P = 0.39), duration (xenon 16.18 +/- 4.97 vs propofol 15.68 +/- 6.17 min; P = 0.73), recovery index (xenon 5.63 +/- 2.48 vs propofol 5.73 +/- 2.12 min; P = 0.42) and clinical recovery (xenon 8.75 +/- 2.57 vs propofol 9.28 +/- 2.28 min; P = 0.22).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the neuromuscular blocking effects of mivacurium are similar when given during propofol vs xenon anesthesia.
Kunitz
Oliver
O
Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. oliver.kunitz@mutterhaus.de
Baumert
Jan-Hinrich
JH
Hecker
Klaus
K
Coburn
Mark
M
Beeker
Thorben
T
Zühlsdorff
André
A
Fassl
Jens
J
Rossaint
Rolf
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077590:Mivacurium; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D015742:Propofol; D000077208:Remifentanil; D014978:Xenon
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007546:Isoquinolines; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D014978:Xenon; D000077590:Mivacurium; D000077208:Remifentanil; D015742:Propofol