Comparison of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in second trimester pregnant women and non-pregnant women

• Published in: International journal of obstetric anesthesia 2018-05, Vol.34, p.10-14
• Main Authors: Jun, I.J., Jun, J., Kim, E.M., Lee, K.Y., Kim, N., Chung, M.H., Choi, Y.R., Choi, E.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Duration; Neuromuscular blockade; Obstetric; Onset; Rocuronium
• ISSN: 0959-289X; 1532-3374
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2018.01.005

•We compared the onset and duration of rocuronium in pregnant and non-pregnant women.•The onset time of rocuronium did not differ significantly between the two groups.•The duration of rocuronium was significantly longer in second trimester pregnancy.•We hypothesize that differences are due to a relative reduction in liver blood flow. This study set out to compare the onset and duration of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in second trimester pregnant women and non-pregnant women receiving general anesthesia. Forty-seven pregnant (Group P) and forty-seven non-pregnant (Group C) women were enrolled. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.0 mg/kg and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg, and neuromuscular blockade was assessed with an accelerometric sensor using train-of-four stimulation (TOF-Watch® SX). Tracheal intubation was performed at maximum depression of the first twitch (T1) and anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane 1.5–2.5% and 50% oxygen in air. We recorded the times to maximum T1 depression and 5% and 25% T1 recovery, as well as the mean arterial pressure and heart rate at baseline, injection of rocuronium, intubation, and 5% and 25% T1 recovery. The onset of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade (time to maximum T1 depression) did not differ significantly between the groups. The duration (time to 25% T1 recovery) was significantly longer in Group P than in Group C (45.7 ± 12.9 min vs 40.6 ± 10.4 min, P