Is vecuronium toxicity abolished by hemodialysis? A case report

Vecuronium is a curaric agent, largely used in anesthesia. Indications as to its employ in uremic patients appear to be debated because of partial renal elimination of the drug. A 52-year-old hemodialyzed woman required transplantectomy for rejection. At awakeness after general anesthesia (induced with fentanyl, propofol, and 6 mg of vecuronium, repeated with a single 2 mg dose 30 min later), she presented diafragmatic and muscular limb weakeness that lasted 180 min in spite of prostigmine administration. A 2 h 30 min predilutional hemofiltration was then performed, which induced rapid disappearance of neuromuscular blockade. Even if vecuronium can be used in dialysis patients, one should remember its possible side effects, especially with repeated doses, in determining prolonged neuromuscular blockade. Cautious use of this drug in renal failure is mandatory. Low dosage must be employed and repeated administration avoided. Neuromuscular blockade seems to be rapidly reversible with dialytic treatment.