[Effect of propofol in combination with ephedrine upon the onset time of cisatracurium].

Objective: The onset time of neuromuscular blocking drugs is partially determined by circulatory factors, including muscle blood flow and cardiac output. The aim of the present paper was to: 1) compare the haemodynamic effects of adding different doses of ephedrine to an induction dose of propofol and remifentanil. 2) onset time of cisatracurium.

Methods: Sixty patients were randomly allocated into three groups: G1 - 1% propofol; G2 - 1% propofol + 0.5 mg.ml-1 ephedrine and G3 - 1% propofol + 1.0 mg.ml-1 ephedrine. All patients received continuous infusion of remifentanil (0.5 mg.kg-1.min-1). The rate of propofol infusion was 180 ml.h-1 until loss of consciousness and a loading dose of cisatracurium (0.15 mg.kg-1) was then given. After induction of anesthesia, the ulnar nerve was stimulated supramaximally every 10s, and the evoked twitch response of the adductor pollicis was recorded by accelerometry.

Results: There was no statistical difference between groups with respect to age, weight, dose of propofol administered and onset time of cisatracurium. Heart rate, SpO2, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were compared at 1 and 3 min post-induction. There were statistical differences in HR, SAP, DAP and MAP, without significant adverse clinical effects.

Conclusions: There were no clinically important decreases in the hemodynamic parameters evaluated in the groups receiving ephedrine or not, and the onset time of cisatracurium was the same for all groups.