Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Apr;32(4):561-566. 10.4097/kjae.1997.32.4.561.

The Infusion Rate of Atracurium and Its Spontaneous Recovery for Cesarean Section

• Kim JH
• Abn EK
• Han JU
• Wbang KI
• Cho BJ
• Shin YS

• KMID: 1934614
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.32.4.561

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atracurium, a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant, is eliminated by Hofmann elimination and not affected by pseudocholinesterase(pChe). Many reports show fall in pChe activity during pregnancy and our measurement failed to prove it. However, the authors found previously the infusion rate of mivacurium, which is metabolized by pChe, to achieve surgical relaxation is decreased. So, we compared the difference in the infusion rate of atracurium between full-term pregnant and nonpregnant women.
METHODS
Muscle relaxation of full-term pregnant women(C group, n=10) and nonpregnant women (Non-C group, n=10) was maintained by continuous infusion of atracurium to keep 1st response of TOF at 5 1%. After discontinuance of infusion, recovery index was measured without reversals using the accelerograph.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in infusion rate of atracurium to maintain 1st twitch response of TOF at 5 1% and recovery index between two groups. There was little correlation between the total infusion time and infusion rate, or between the total infusion time and recovery index.
CONCLUSION
The atracurium infusion rate in parturients to maintain muscle relaxation was not different from that in non-parturients. For Cesarean section, the usual infusion rate of atracurium is recommended to achieve the adequate surgical relaxation.

Keyword

Neuromuscular relaxants; atracurium; Surgery; obstetrics

MeSH Terms

Atracurium*
Cesarean Section*
Female
Humans
Muscle Relaxation
Obstetrics
Pregnancy
Relaxation
Atracurium