title: [Neuromuscular blockade monitoring. Part 1].
abstract: Many recent studies have underlined the importance of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring and the high incidence of residual block in clinical practice in spite of the use of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers of intermediate duration. Neuromuscular monitoring facilitates the tailoring of the muscular paralysis and appropriate patient recovery at the end of surgery. Monitoring also controls or prevents residual block and serves to guide the use of reversing agents. This review describes the physiology of neuromuscular junctions as well as the principles and patterns of nerve stimulation and clinical monitoring. In addition to drawing on their own experience, the authors have reviewed the literature available through evidence-based indexes and other databases up to December 2008. Most references found were case series and reviews. Quantitative monitoring is an evidence-based practice that should be applied in all situations in which a neuromuscular block is established.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid. jarinoirujo@yahoo.es
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ariño-Irujo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calbet-Mañueco
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: De la Calle-Elguezabal
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Velasco-Barrio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López-Timoneda
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Gómez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fabregat-López
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Palacio-Abizanda
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fornet-Ruiz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Cajaraville
mesh_terms: D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade / Q000009:adverse effects; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012032:Refractory Period, Electrophysiological / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents