Reduced hypoxic chemosensitivity in partially paralysed man. A new property of muscle relaxants?

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background: It was hypothesized that non‐depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents impair hypoxic chemosensitivity in man.Methods: In thirty randomly allocated male volunteers the hypoxic and hypercarbic ventilatory responses were measured during partial paralysis (TOF ratio 0.70) due to either atracurium (n=10), pancuronium (n=10) or vecuronium (n=10).Results: Hypoxic ventilatory responses were depressed by 306, 287 and 296% (mean SD) at steady‐state infusion of atracurium, pancuronium and vecuronium, respectively. At a TOF ratio of >0.90, the HVR was not different from control measurements.Conclusion: It is concluded that non‐depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents impair hypoxic ventilatory regulation. Further experimental studies are warranted to fully describe the mechanism(s) responsible for this interaction.