Anticholinesterase-resistant neuromuscular blockade in sheep given amino-steroid muscle relaxants

Cardiovascular and autonomic nervous effects of edrophonium and atropine combinations during neuromuscular blockade antagonism in sheep

“…Therefore, while it is possible that IPPV produced abnormal CO 2 levels, these would probably have been similar. In previous studies (Clutton et al. 1994), these ventilator settings produced mild hypocapnia, i.e.…”

“…The latter is not straightforward in sheep because the differential sensitivity of nerve‐muscle units to neuromuscular blocking agents is unknown. Monitoring neuromuscular transmission in relatively resistant nerve‐muscle units, such as n. facialis‐m levator nasolabialis , leads to over‐dose and prolonged post‐operative hypoventilation, dyspnoea and recumbency (Clutton et al. 1994).…”

“…Gas flows were 50 mL kg −1 minute −1 oxygen and 100 mL kg −1 minute −1 nitrous oxide. End‐tidal CO 2 concentrations and arterial CO 2 tensions were not measured, but these flows and ventilator settings have produced PaCO 2 values of 4.26–4.93 kPa (32–37 mmHg) in sheep of similar weight (Clutton et al. 1994).…”

“…Third, sheep are relatively sensitive to neuromuscular‐blocking agents such as suxamethonium (Green 1979), vecuronium and pancuronium (Klein et al. 1985; Ibebunjo & Hall 1992; Clutton et al. 1994) when compared with humans.…”

The effects of age, isoflurane and sevoflurane on atracurium in lambs

“…Sheep are sensitive to amino‐steroid drugs such as vecuronium and pancuronium (Klein et al. 1985; Clutton et al. 1994; Clutton & Glasby 1998) and therefore atracurium has been recommended for use in sheep (Clutton & Glasby 1998, 2008) and lambs (Clutton et al.…”