title: The use of neuromuscular blocking agents in the ICU: where are we now?
abstract: Intensivists use neuromuscular blocking agents for a variety of clinical conditions, including for emergency intubation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, status asthmaticus, elevated intracranial pressure, elevated intra-abdominal pressure, and therapeutic hypothermia after ventricular fibrillation-associated cardiac arrest. The continued creation and use of evidence-based guidelines and protocols could ensure that neuromuscular blocking agents are used and monitored appropriately. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach coupled with constant review of the pharmacology, dosing, drug interactions, and monitoring techniques may reduce the adverse events associated with the use of neuromuscular blocking agents.
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. sbgreenb@gmail.com
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vender
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents