Abstract
Objective
To compare the constant rate infusion (CRI) of vecuronium required to maintain a level
of neuromuscular blockade adequate for major surgeries, e.g. thoracotomy or laparotomy,
in dogs anaesthetized with a CRI of fentanyl and either propofol, isoflurane or sevoflurane.
Study design
Prospective, randomized, cross-over study.
Animals
Thirteen male beagles (age, 9–22 months; body mass 6.3–11.3 kg).
Materials and methods
Dogs were anaesthetized with propofol (24 mg kg−1 hour−1 IV CRI; group P), isoflurane (1.3% end-tidal concentration; group I) or sevoflurane
(2.3% end-tidal concentration; group S) with fentanyl (5 μg kg−1 hour−1 IV, CRI). Sixty to seventy minutes after induction of anaesthesia, vecuronium was
administered at a rate of 0.4, 0.3 and 0.2 mg kg−1 hour−1 in groups P, I and S respectively. To determine the degree of neuromuscular block,
a peripheral nerve was stimulated electrically using the train-of-four (TO4) stimulus
pattern. Evoked muscle contractions were evaluated using a neuromuscular monitoring
device. Once the TO4 ratio reached 0, the continuous infusion rate was decreased and
adjusted to maintain a TO4 count of 1. Continuous infusion was continued for 2 hours.
The infusion rate of vecuronium was recorded 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 minutes after
the start of infusion.
Results
The mean continuous infusion rates of vecuronium during stable infusion were 0.22
± 0.04 (mean ± SD), 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.09 ± 0.02 mg kg−1 hour−1 in groups P, I and S respectively. There were statistically significant differences
between the rates in groups P and I and between the rates in groups P and S.
Conclusions and Clinical relevance
In healthy dogs, the recommended maintenance infusion rate of vecuronium is 0.2 mg
kg−1 hour−1 under CRI propofol–fentanyl anaesthesia and 0.1 mg kg−1 hour−1 during CRI fentanyl–isoflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 27,
2005
Received:
January 24,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
