Biomaterial Database

Atracurium infusions in patients with renal failure on an ITU. 1986

R B Griffiths, and J M Hunter, and R S Jones

An infusion of atracurium was used (after an initial bolus dose) in five patients with renal and respiratory failure, who were being subjected to intermittent positive pressure ventilation before renal dialysis. Neuromuscular function was monitored by the train-of-four pattern of stimulation. In three patients, atracurium 0.6-0.7 mg/kg/hour completely abolished the twitch response; in the other two (both of whom were markedly oedematous) this did not occur, even with a dose of 1.0 mg/kg/hour, although satisfactory clinical control was obtained. In all patients, there was rapid spontaneous recovery when the infusion was stopped. One patient convulsed, but plasma laudanosine levels taken at this time were below the toxic range. Atracurium infusions appear to provide easily controllable neuromuscular blockade in the intensive therapy unit, although these preliminary results suggest that larger doses may be required in the oedematous patient.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007263	Infusions, Parenteral	The administration of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through some other route than the alimentary canal, usually over minutes or hours, either by gravity flow or often by infusion pumping.	Intra-Abdominal Infusions,Intraperitoneal Infusions,Parenteral Infusions,Peritoneal Infusions,Infusion, Intra-Abdominal,Infusion, Intraperitoneal,Infusion, Parenteral,Infusion, Peritoneal,Infusions, Intra-Abdominal,Infusions, Intraperitoneal,Infusions, Peritoneal,Intra Abdominal Infusions,Intra-Abdominal Infusion,Intraperitoneal Infusion,Parenteral Infusion,Peritoneal Infusion
D007385	Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation	Application of positive pressure to the inspiratory phase when the patient has an artificial airway in place and is connected to a ventilator.	BIPAP Biphasic Intermittent Positive Airway Pressure,IPPV,Inspiratory Positive-Pressure Ventilation,Ventilation, Intermittent Positive-Pressure,Biphasic Intermittent Positive Airway Pressure,Inspiratory Positive Pressure Ventilation,Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation,Positive-Pressure Ventilation, Inspiratory,Positive-Pressure Ventilation, Intermittent,Ventilation, Inspiratory Positive-Pressure,Ventilation, Intermittent Positive Pressure
D007546	Isoquinolines	A group of compounds with the heterocyclic ring structure of benzo(c)pyridine. The ring structure is characteristic of the group of opium alkaloids such as papaverine. (From Stedman, 25th ed)
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009466	Neuromuscular Blocking Agents	Drugs that interrupt transmission of nerve impulses at the skeletal neuromuscular junction. They can be of two types, competitive, stabilizing blockers (NEUROMUSCULAR NONDEPOLARIZING AGENTS) or noncompetitive, depolarizing agents (NEUROMUSCULAR DEPOLARIZING AGENTS). Both prevent acetylcholine from triggering the muscle contraction and they are used as anesthesia adjuvants, as relaxants during electroshock, in convulsive states, etc.	Neuromuscular Blocker,Neuromuscular Blocking Agent,Neuromuscular Blockers,Agent, Neuromuscular Blocking,Agents, Neuromuscular Blocking,Blocker, Neuromuscular,Blockers, Neuromuscular,Blocking Agent, Neuromuscular,Blocking Agents, Neuromuscular
D003422	Critical Care	Health care provided to a critically ill patient during a medical emergency or crisis.	Intensive Care,Intensive Care, Surgical,Surgical Intensive Care,Care, Critical,Care, Intensive,Care, Surgical Intensive
D005260	Female		Females
D006435	Renal Dialysis	Therapy for the insufficient cleansing of the BLOOD by the kidneys based on dialysis and including hemodialysis, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, and HEMODIAFILTRATION.	Dialysis, Extracorporeal,Dialysis, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialysis,Hemodialysis,Dialyses, Extracorporeal,Dialyses, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialyses,Hemodialyses,Renal Dialyses
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man