SHOULD ICU PATIENTS RECEIVE MUSCLE-RELAXANTS

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are used in many critically ill patients, although their use is declining. NMBAs are designed for shor t term use in the operating theatre, and there are few studies in the critical care setting of either efficacy or safety, in particular thei r metabolism may be impaired by organ dysfunction. Weakness associated with critical illness is multifactorial, but in many cases is associa ted with myopathies and neuropathies. The possible role of NMBAs in th e development of weakness is unclear, but there is no proven link betw een the use of NMBAs and neuropathy or myopathy.