title: Residual Neuromuscular Block in the Elderly: Incidence and Clinical Implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elderly patients are at increased risk for anesthesia-related complications. Postoperative residual neuromuscular block (PRNB) in the elderly, defined as a train-of-four ratio less than 0.9, may exacerbate preexisting muscle weakness and respiratory dysfunction. In this investigation, the incidence of PRNB and associated adverse events were assessed in an elderly (70 to 90 yr) and younger cohort (18 to 50 yr).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were prospectively collected on 150 younger and 150 elderly patients. Train-of-four ratios were measured on arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). After tracheal extubation, patients were examined for adverse respiratory events during transport to the PACU, for 30 min after PACU admission, and during hospital admission. Postoperative muscle weakness was quantified using a standardized examination, and PACU and hospital lengths of stay were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of PRNB was 57.7% in elderly and 30.0% in younger patients (difference, -27.7%; 99% CI, -41.2 to -13.1%; P < 0.001). Airway obstruction, hypoxemic events, signs and symptoms of muscle weakness, postoperative pulmonary complications, and increased PACU and hospital lengths of stay were observed more frequently in the elderly (all P < 0.01). Within each cohort, most adverse events were observed in patients with PRNB. Younger patients with PRNB received larger total doses of rocuronium than did those without it (60 vs. 50 mg, P < 0.01), but there were no differences in rocuronium dose between elderly patients with PRNB and those without it (both 50 mg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The elderly are at increased risk for PRNB and associated adverse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Anesthesiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, Illinois (G.S.M., J.W.S., J.S.V.); Department of Anesthesiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois (M.J.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois (S.B.G., T.D.S.); and Department of Anesthesiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois (K.N.P., S.S.P., A.P.).
authors.forename: Glenn S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Szokol
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Avram
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Torin D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Shear
authors.forename: Jeffery S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vender
authors.forename: Kruti N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Shivani S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Aashka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000453:epidemiology; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult