PROLONGED WEAKNESS AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL OF ATRACURIUM

Prolonged weakness after the use of neuromuscular blocking agents is a n increasingly recognized iatrogenic complication of critical care. Ve curonium and pancuronium have been associated with this syndrome, but few cases of atracurium-associated prolonged paresis have heretofore b een reported. Many practitioners have thus chosen to use atracurium in stead of longer-acting neuromuscular blockers when muscle relaxation i s required in the supportive management of critically ill patients. We here report a case of prolonged paresis after the administration of a tracurium.