05.07.2014 Views

Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Atracurium<br />

Class<br />

Nondepolarizing skeletal muscle relaxant (NDMR); short-acting<br />

Mechanism of Action<br />

Competitive inhibitor at the acetylcholine receptors of the post-synaptic cleft of the neuromuscular<br />

junction.<br />

Dose<br />

Intubation : 0.5-0.6 mg/kg IV<br />

Maintenance bolus: 0.1-0.3 mg/kg IV<br />

Onset<br />

3-4 minutes<br />

Duration<br />

20-35 minutes<br />

Elimination<br />

Hoffman elimination, ester hydrolysis<br />

Effects<br />

MSK<br />

<strong>The</strong> neuromuscular blockade effects of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are potentiated by<br />

succinylcholine, volatile anesthetics, aminoglycosides, lithium, loop diuretics, lidocaine, magnesium,<br />

lithium, ganglionic blockers, hypothermia, hypokalemia and respiratory acidosis.<br />

Enhanced neuromuscular blockade is seen in patients with myasthenia gravis or myopathies.<br />

<strong>The</strong> effects of NDMR are antagonized by cholinesterase inhibitors. Increased resistance to<br />

NDMR is seen in patients on theophylline, burn patients and those with paresis or paralysis.<br />

Misc.<br />

Histamine release may occur with rapid administration or higher dosages. Produces an excitatory<br />

metabolite called laudanosine. Muscle relaxants are the most common cause of anaphylactoid<br />

reactions under general anesthesia.<br />

Related Glossary Terms<br />

Anticholinesterase, Cis-Atracurium, Laudanosine, Neuromuscular junction, Nondepolarizing<br />

muscle relaxants, Pancuronium, Peripheral nerve stimulator, Residual block,<br />

Rocuronium, Urticaria<br />

Index<br />

Find Term<br />

Chapter 3 - General <strong>Anesthesia</strong><br />

Chapter 6 - Drug Finder<br />

Chapter 6 - Muscle Relaxants

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!