Yonsei Med J.  2005 Oct;46(5):643-647. 10.3349/ymj.2005.46.5.643.

The Relationship of the Anthropometric Variables to the Infusion Rate of Rocuronium in the Elderly

• Koo BN
• Bai SJ
• Shin YS
• Lee WC

• KMID: 2158143
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2005.46.5.643

Abstract

We have determined the infusion rates of rocuronium in the elderly and young adult patients during sevoflurane and nitrous oxide anesthesia. The correlation of some anthropometric predictors with infusion rate of rocuronium was also investigated for both elderly and young adult. Participating patients were assigned to one of two groups: 1) young adult patients aged 20 to 50 years (n = 30) ; 2) elderly patients aged over 65 years (n = 30). The anthropometric variables such as height, weight, ratio of weight to body surface area, subscapularis and suprailiac skin folds, body surface area, body mass index and % ideal body weight were evaluated as predictors for infusion rate. The infusion rate in elderly patients was significantly less compared with that in young adult patients (p < 0.05). In elderly patients, no anthropometric predictor was related to the infusion rate of rocuronium. This suggests that the infusion rate of rocuronium for an elderly patient needs to be individualized by monitoring neuromuscular transmission to avoid excessive dose.

Keyword

Anthropometric variables; elderly patients; infusion rate; neuromuscular monitoring; rocuronium

MeSH Terms

Skinfold Thickness
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents/*administration & dosage
Middle Aged
Male
Infusions, Intravenous
Humans
Female
Body Weight
Body Surface Area
Body Mass Index
Body Height
*Anthropometry
Androstanols/*administration & dosage
Aged
Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Sum of subscapular skin folds and suprailiac skin folds plotted against the infusion rate of rocuronium for the young patients group. The infusion rate of rocuronium for young adults correlated with the sum of subscapularis and suprailiac skin folds (linear regression: SF = 44.64 + [-0.47] (rate, r2 = 0.23, p = 0.007). SF, sum of subscapular skin folds and suprailiac skin folds.

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