Biomaterial Database

Pancuronium pharmacokinetics in patients with liver cirrhosis. 1978

P Duvaldestin, and S Agoston, and D Henzel, and U W Kersten, and J M Desmonts

The serum and urinary concentrations of pancuronium were measured in 14 surgical patients with cirrhosis and 12 patients free from liver disease undergoing abdominal surgery. A two-compartment open model was used in the pharmacokinetic analysis of the data. A two-fold increase in both the distribution half-life (T 1/2 alpha) from 11 min to 24 min and in the elimination half-life (T 1/2 beta) from 114 min to 208 min was observed in patients with cirrhosis. In these individuals, the total apparent volume of distribution of pancuronium was increased by 50%. Plasma clearance of pancuronium was decreased by 22%. No significant difference was found in the urinary excretion and biotransformation pattern of pancuronium. These results suggest that there is a risk of prolonged duration of action of pancuronium in patients with cirrhosis. In these patients, the initial dose to achieve adequate muscle relaxation is high and simultaneously there is slow disappearance of pancuronium from plasma. These alterations are mainly a consequence of the increase in the distribution volume of pancuronium in patients with cirrhosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008103	Liver Cirrhosis	Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules.	Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009469	Neuromuscular Junction	The synapse between a neuron and a muscle.	Myoneural Junction,Nerve-Muscle Preparation,Junction, Myoneural,Junction, Neuromuscular,Junctions, Myoneural,Junctions, Neuromuscular,Myoneural Junctions,Nerve Muscle Preparation,Nerve-Muscle Preparations,Neuromuscular Junctions,Preparation, Nerve-Muscle,Preparations, Nerve-Muscle
D010197	Pancuronium	A bis-quaternary steroid that is a competitive nicotinic antagonist. As a neuromuscular blocking agent it is more potent than CURARE but has less effect on the circulatory system and on histamine release.	Pancuronium Bromide,Pancuronium Curamed,Pancuronium Organon,Pavulon,Bromide, Pancuronium
D005260	Female		Females
D006207	Half-Life	The time it takes for a substance (drug, radioactive nuclide, or other) to lose half of its pharmacologic, physiologic, or radiologic activity.	Halflife,Half Life,Half-Lifes,Halflifes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000005	Abdomen	That portion of the body that lies between the THORAX and the PELVIS.	Abdomens