Korean J Anesthesiol.  2008 Apr;54(4):378-383. 10.4097/kjae.2008.54.4.378.

Rocuronium Dosage Producing the Ceiling Effect on Onset Time in Young Male Patients

• Kim TW
• Han DW
• Kang YS
• Shin YS

• KMID: 1763264
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2008.54.4.378

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium is considered a good candidate for rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia. Increased dose of rocuronium shortens the onset time but prolongs the duration of action. However, the ceiling effect of onset time appears when larger doses are used.Clinical trials have not shown the exact dose of ceiling effect. We performed this study to find dose producing the ceiling effect of onset time.
METHODS
One hundred forty young male adults were randomized to oneof seven doses of rocuronium:0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1 or 1.2 mg/kg.Anesthesia was induced with IV thiopental sodium and maintained with sevoflurane after tracheal intubation. Neuromuscular block was monitored with acceleromyography using single twitch.The onset time, the recovery of single twitch to 10% and also the changes in hemodynamics were checked.
RESULTS
A dose of up to 1.0 mg/kg shortens the onset time but no further decrement was seen with doses larger than 1.0 mg/kg.The recovery time was prolonged as doses were increased but there were no differences in the hemodynamics.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that in young male adults under IV induction with thiopental sodium, the ceiling effect of onset time appeared with rocuronium doses in excess of 1.0 mg/kg.

Keyword

ceiling effect; onset time; recovery time; rocuronium

MeSH Terms

Adult
Androstanols
Anesthesia
Hemodynamics
Humans
Intubation
Male
Methyl Ethers
Neuromuscular Blockade
Thiopental
Androstanols
Methyl Ethers
Thiopental