Open AccessInfluence of Pancuronium on Potassium Efflux Produced By Succinylcholine
Author(s) -
Halappa N. Konchigeri,
Cheng-hin Tay
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/00000539-197607000-00004
Subject(s) - medicine , hyperkalemia , anesthesia , potassium , pancuronium bromide , endocrinology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Serum potassium (K+) levels were measured after thiopental, succinylcholine, pancuronium, and pretreatment with pancuronium prior to succinylcholine, in 100 patients divided into 4 groups of 25 patients each. Significant increases in serum K+ were found after succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). Administration of pancuronium in small doses (20 mug/kg) prior to succinylcholine (1 mg/kg) was effective not only in complete prevention of serum K+ elevation but also produced consistent decrease in serum K+ concentration below control values. Both thiopental and pancuronium produced moderate fall in serum K+ levels. Our observations indicate that pretreatment with pancuronium may play a beneficial role in patients at risk from succinylcholine hyperkalemia.