HIGH-DOSE VECURONIUM MAY BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUXAMETHONIUM FOR RAPID-SEQUENCE INTUBATION

Endotracheal intubation conditions 60 s after intravenous administrati on of either high-dose vecuronium (0.3 mg kg-1; n=25) or suxamethonium (1.0 mg kg-1; n = 25) were compared in a blind, randomised study. No significant differences were found between the two drugs. In 96% of th e patients intubation conditions were characterized as excellent or go od. In only one patient (4%) in each group were intubation conditions unsatisfactory. According to our findings, high-dose vecuronium provid es satisfactory intubation conditions after 60 s and may be used inste ad of suxamethonium for rapid sequence intubation when a long duration of neuromuscular blockade is acceptable.