Objective neuromuscular monitoring of neuromuscular blockade in Denmark: an online-based survey of current practice.

Background: Neuromuscular blocking agents are commonly used during general anaesthesia but can lead to postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade and associated morbidity. With appropriate objective neuromuscular monitoring (objNMM) residual blockade can be avoided. In this survey, we investigated the use of objNMM in Denmark.

Remotely sensing the German Wadden Sea-a new approach to address national and international environmental legislation.

The Wadden Sea along the North Sea coasts of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. Its habitats are highly productive and harbour high standing stocks and densities of benthic species, well adapted to the demanding environmental conditions. Therefore, the Wadden Sea is one of the most important areas for migratory birds in the world and thus protected by national and international legislation, which amongst others requires extensive monitoring.

[Danish Cholinesterase Research Unit diagnoses patients with prolonged paralysis after succinylcholine and mivacurium].

The Danish Cholinesterase Research Unit (DCRU) is a nationwide unit for patients carrying mutations in the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BChE). BChE hydrolyzes the neuromuscular blocking drugs succinylcholine and mivacurium. Patients with mutations in the butyrylcholinesterase gene are at risk of experiencing a prolonged effect of the drugs, such as weakness or paralysis for hours.

Awareness during emergence from anaesthesia: significance of neuromuscular monitoring in patients with butyrylcholinesterase deficiency.

Background: Butyrylcholinesterase deficiency can result in prolonged paralysis after administration of succinylcholine or mivacurium. We conducted an interview study to assess whether patients with butyrylcholinesterase deficiency were more likely to have experienced awareness during emergence from anaesthesia if neuromuscular monitoring had not been applied.

Methods: Patients referred during 2004-2012 were included.