The Effect of the Depth of Neuromuscular Blockade on the Haemodynamic Response to Tracheal Intubation

Abstract

The effect of two different doses of vecuronium on the heart rate and mean arterial pressure response to tracheal intubation was compared in 32 adult ASA class I patients. It was found that the higher dose of vecuronium (2.5 × ED₉₅) produced greater depression of the evoked electromyogram (P < 0.01), and provided better intubating conditions (P < 0.01) than the lower dose of vecuronium (1 × ED₉₅). However, the heart rate and the mean arterial pressure response to tracheal intubation was similar with both doses. The results indicate that, within the range of neuromuscular blockade commonly used to facilitate tracheal intubation, the depth of neuromuscular blockade per se does not affect the haemodynamic response to intubation.