Muscles affected in this order
during onset, sequence is
reversed during offset
Consequences:
1) If neuromuscular blockade
is monitored at a resistant
unit then overall overdose
may occur with prolonged
recoveries
2) Monitoring at a sensitive
site may mean muscle
relaxation is inadequate at
the operating site
3) Attempting to capitalize on
selective sensitivities ( Low doses
to block sensitive muscles while
preserving resp. muscle function) =>
Very Dangerous!
Sensitivity hierarchy is very
variable, as is response of all
animals to these drugs
Monitoring
Neuromuscular
Blockade
Peripheral nerve stimulators:
stimulating a peripheral nerve &
measuring the strength of the
evoked response (or twitch)
Muscle units for
monitoring
neuromuscular
transmission:
Dorsal buccal branch
of facial nerve
Dilator nasi
lateralis (Dogs)
Ulnar nevre
Carpal flexors
(Dogs & Pigs)
Deep peritoneal
Hind-limb digital
extensor muscles
(Horses & Dogs)
'Train of 4' stimulation pattern
Delivery of 4
stimuli (at 2 Hz)
every 12 secs
Counting the # of
twitches in each
train can indicate the
extent of block
Monitoring Consciousness
Neuromuscular blockers
paralyze facial skeletal
muscle & eliminate
normal reflexes
After paralysis: Eyelids are
open, eye is central; No
corneal or palpebral reflexes
Paralysed animals that are NOT unconscious:
Paradoxial Jaw tone
Paradoxial tongue twitching
Mydriasis
Lacrimation
Salivation
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Arrhythmias
Neuromuscular Blockade Antagonism
Anti-cholinesterase Drugs
Edrophonium
+ Atropine
Neostigmine
+ Glycopyrrolate
Increase Ach levels at the
neuromuscular junction
Additional Ach competes
w/ neuromuscular
blocking agent effectively
for binding sites on the
Nicotinic receptor
=> Restores
neuromuscular
transmission
Rising Ach throughout the
body activates Muscarinic
receptors present on target
organs of the
Parasympathetic NS
Anti-cholinesterases given
alone => Bradycardia,
Bradyarrhythmias (asystole),
Bronchoconstriction,
Bronchosecretion, GI
Hypermotility & Hypersecretion