scholarly journals Considerations in Neuromuscular Blockade in the ICU: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Jessica D. Workum ◽  
Stephanie H.V. Janssen ◽  
Hugo R.W. Touw
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Neuromuscular Blocking ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Prolonged Effect ◽  
Train Of Four ◽  
Prolonged Neuromuscular Blockade

Neuromuscular blocking agents are regularly used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to facilitate mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and patient-ventilator dyssynchronies. However, prolonged neuromuscular blockade is associated with adverse effects like ICU-acquired weakness. Residual neuromuscular blockade is, however, not routinely monitored in the intensive care unit, and as such, this phenomenon might be unrecognized and underreported. We report a case in which an unusual prolonged effect of neuromuscular blockade was seen after cessation of the drug, which illustrates the complexity of neuromuscular blockade in the ICU. We advocate for the use of train-of-four measurements in the ICU, recommend to choose cisatracurium over rocuronium in critically ill patients due to their pharmacokinetics when continuous neuromuscular blockade is considered, and propose a subsequent strategy once the choice has been made to start neuromuscular blockade.

Use of peripheral nerve stimulators to monitor patients with neuromuscular blockade in the ICU

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 449-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kleinpell ◽  
C Bedrosian ◽  
L McCormick ◽  
M Kremer ◽  
L Bujalski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Neuromuscular Blocking ◽  
Nerve Stimulator ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulator ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Train Of Four ◽  
Current Monitoring ◽  
Prolonged Neuromuscular Blockade

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular blockade is a frequently used therapy in the ICU. However, recent reports of prolonged paralysis and general muscular weakness in patients treated with this procedure have raised concerns about its use in intensive care. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess current monitoring practices of nurses who care for patients treated with neuromuscular blockade. METHODS: In January 1995, questionnaires were mailed to a random national sample of 2000 critical care nurses. Of the 2000 questionnaires mailed, 744 were returned. RESULTS: The number of patients per month who were treated with neuromuscular blockade in ICU settings ranged from 0 to 75 (mean = 6.82, SD = 9.15). For each patient, the average number of days of blockade ranged from less than 1 to 63 (mean = 4.12, SD = 3.36). The most common indications for neuromuscular blockade were to assist in mechanical ventilation, reduce oxygen consumption, and treat agitation. Only 41% of respondents (n = 306) reported using train-of-four stimuli and a peripheral nerve stimulator to monitor patients. Depth of neuromuscular blockade was routinely monitored by using clinical assessment (31%), a peripheral nerve stimulator (16%), or both (52%). CONCLUSIONS: Among the respondents, variations existed in monitoring practices and in the use of peripheral nerve stimulators, including the frequency of monitoring and use of the baseline milliamperage. Appropriate monitoring and titration of neuromuscular blocking agents by ICU nurses may aid in preventing adverse effects, including the potential for prolonged neuromuscular blockade. The existing variations in practice may affect patients' outcomes.

scholarly journals Residual Neuromuscular Blockade in Critical Care

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. e1-e10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Wilson ◽  
Angela S. Collins ◽  
Brea O. Rowan
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Anesthesia Time

Neuromuscular blockade is a pharmacological adjunct for anesthesia and for surgical interventions. Neuromuscular blockers can facilitate ease of instrumentation and reduce complications associated with intubation. An undesirable sequela of these agents is residual neuromuscular blockade. Residual neuromuscular blockade is linked to aspiration, diminished response to hypoxia, and obstruction of the upper airway that may occur soon after extubation. If an operation is particularly complex or requires a long anesthesia time, residual neuromuscular blockade can contribute to longer stays in the intensive care unit and more hours of mechanical ventilation. Given the risks of this medication class, it is essential to have an understanding of the mechanism of action of, assessment of, and factors affecting blockade and to be able to identify factors that affect pharmacokinetics.

scholarly journals The Effects of Postoperative Residual Neuromuscular Blockade on Hospital Costs and Intensive Care Unit Admission

2019 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 1129-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Grabitz ◽  
Nishan Rajaratnam ◽  
Khushi Chhagani ◽  
Tharusan Thevathasan ◽  
Bijan J. Teja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Unit Admission ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Hospital Costs ◽  
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Postoperative Residual

Comparison of Cisatracurium and Vecuronium by Infusion in Neonates and Small Infants after Congenital Heart Surgery

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 1122-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Reich ◽  
Ingrid Hollinger ◽  
Donna J. Harrington ◽  
Howard S. Seiden ◽  
Sephali Chakravorti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Heart Surgery ◽  
Spontaneous Recovery ◽  
Congenital Heart Surgery ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Analysis ◽  
Train Of Four ◽  
Neonates And Infants

Background Neonates and infants often require extended periods of mechanical ventilation facilitated by sedation and neuromuscular blockade. Methods Twenty-three patients aged younger than 2 yr were randomly assigned to receive either cisatracurium or vecuronium infusions postoperatively in a double-blinded fashion after undergoing congenital heart surgery. The infusion was titrated to maintain one twitch of a train-of-four. The times to full spontaneous recovery of train-of-four without fade, extubation, intensive care unit discharge, and hospital discharge were documented after drug discontinuation. Sparse sampling after termination of the infusion and a one-compartment model were used for pharmacokinetic analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test and Student t test were used to compare data between groups. Results There were no significant differences between groups with respect to demographic data or duration of postoperative neuromuscular blockade infusion. The median recovery time for train-of-four for cisatracurium (30 min) was less than that for vecuronium (180 min) (P < 0.05). Three patients in the vecuronium group had prolonged train-of-four recovery: Two had long elimination half-lives for vecuronium, and one had a high concentration of 3-OH vecuronium. There were no differences in extubation times, intensive care unit stays, or hospital stays between groups. Conclusions Our results parallel data from adults demonstrating a markedly shorter recovery of neuromuscular transmission after cisatracurium compared with vecuronium. Decreased clearance of vecuronium and the accumulation of 3-OH vecuronium may contribute to prolonged spontaneous recovery times. Cisatracurium is associated with faster spontaneous recovery of neuromuscular function compared with vecuronium but not with any differences in intermediate outcome measures in neonates and infants.

Generalized Paralysis in the Intensive Care Unit: Emphasis on the Complications of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and Corticosteroids

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Gorson ◽  
Allan H. Ropper
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Critical Illness Polyneuropathy ◽  
Neuromuscular Blocking ◽  
Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Blocking Agents ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockers ◽  
Prolonged Neuromuscular Blockade

Generalized weakness in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is increasingly recognized as a frequent complication and a common cause of prolonged ventilator dependency. Intravenous corticosteroids and neuromuscular blocking agents, sepsis, and multiorgan failure have been strongly implicated in the ICU paralysis syndromes, but the pathophysiology of these disorders is poorly understood. The combination of neuromuscular blocking agents and corticosteroids may induce three distinct syndromes of generalized weakness in ICU patients: acute myopathy, prolonged neuromuscular blockade, and critical illness polyneuropathy. More than one syndrome may occur simultaneously, and the distinctions may be difficult in a particular patient, but a specific diagnosis usually can be established after careful clinical, electrodi-agnostic, and histological evaluation. Acute myopathy with generalized weakness, preserved eye movements, elevated creatine kinase levels, and myopathic motor units on electromyography (EMG) have developed in asthmatics requiring neuromuscular blockers and steroids. Muscle biopsy has shown distinctive changes, with fiber atrophy, scattered necrosis, and thick (myosin) filament depletion on ultrastructural studies. Patients who have had a prolonged ICU stay or sepsis with failure to wean from the ventilator, distal weakness, and areflexia probably have critical illness polyneuropathy. EMG in these patients has demonstrated reduced or absent motor and sensory potentials with neurogenic motor units. Prolonged neuromuscular blockade most commonly has occurred in patients with renal failure who received prolonged infusions of neuromuscular blockers. Severe flaccid, areflexic paralysis with normal sensation, facial weakness, and ophthalmoparesis persists for days or weeks after the neuromuscular blockers have been discontinued. Repetitive nerve stimulation has shown a decrement of the compound muscle action potential, and it establishes a disorder of neuromuscular transmission in most patients. We critically examine the clinical, electrophysiological, and pathological features of each of these syndromes, and we summarize current understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders and the relationship to neuromuscular blocking agents and corticosteroids.

scholarly journals Comparison of Train of Four Measurements with Kinemyography NMT DATEX and Accelerography TOFscan

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Cyrus Motamed ◽  
Migena Demiri ◽  
Nora Colegrave
Keyword(s):  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Lower Limit ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Orotracheal Intubation ◽  
Neuromuscular Blocking ◽  
Physical Status Classification ◽  
Train Of Four ◽  
Surgery First ◽  
American Society ◽  
American Society Of Anesthesiologists

Introduction: This study was designed to compare the Datex neuromuscular transmission (NMT) kinemyography (NMTK) device with the TOFscan (TS) accelerometer during the onset and recovery of neuromuscular blockade. Patients and methods: This prospective study included adult patients who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery with general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation. The TS accelerometer was randomly placed at the adductor pollicis on one hand, and the NMTK was placed on the opposite arm. Anesthesia was initiated with remifentanil target-controlled infusion (TCI) and 2.0–3.0 mg/kg of propofol. Thereafter, 0.5 mg/kg of atracurium or 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium was injected. If needed, additional neuromuscular blocking agents were administered to facilitate surgery. First, we recorded the train of four (TOF) response at the onset of neuromuscular blockade to reach a TOF count of 0. Second, we recorded the TOF response at the recovery of neuromuscular blockade to obtain a T4/T1 90% by both TS and NMTK. Results: There were 32 patients, aged 38–83 years, with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification I–III included and analyzed. Surgery was abdominal, gynecologic, or head and neck. The Bland and Altman analysis for obtaining zero responses during the onset showed a bias (mean) of 2.7 s (delay) of TS in comparison to NMTK, with an upper/lower limit of agreement of [104; −109 s] and a bias of 36 s of TS in comparison to NMTK, with an upper/lower limit of agreement of [−21.8, −23.1 min] during recovery (T4/T1 > 90%). Conclusions: Under the conditions of the present study, the two devices are not interchangeable. Clinical decisions for deep neuromuscular blockade should be made cautiously, as both devices appear less accurate with significant variability.

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