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Comparison of thumb acceleration and thenar EMG in a pharmacodynamic study of alcuronium
Author(s) -
Meretoja O. A.,
Werner M. U.,
Wirtavuori K.,
Luosto T.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1989.tb02963.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neuromuscular transmission , thumb , electromyography , pharmacodynamics , anesthesia , neuromuscular blocking agents , acceleration , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pharmacokinetics , surgery , physics , classical mechanics
We compared thumb acceleration (Acc) and thenar electromyography (EMG) techniques by evaluating the neuromuscular blocking properties of alcuronium in 14 ASA physical status I patients. The dose‐response curves determined by the two techniques were parallel but the EMG‐curve was shifted 25% to the right ( P <0.001). Acc reflected 8–11% greater neuromuscular block than simultaneous EMG in every patient ( P <0.05). Concurrently, the duration of >90% neuromuscular block maintained by alcuronium 280 μg/kg was significantly longer when measured by the Acc transducer (30 vs. 19 min, P <0.001). Although the TOF ratios were in good correlation (r 2 =0.82), clinically significant differences existed between the two simultaneous techniques. The results underline the importance of the method of assessment of neuromuscular transmission when evaluating the action of neuromuscular blocking drugs.