Etomidate shortens the onset time of neuromuscular block

We have studied 30 healthy patients allocated randomly to receive thiopentone, propofol or etomidate in equipotent doses followed by vecuronium 0.1 mg kg-1. Haemodynamic variables and time to 100% neuromuscular block were measured. The patients receiving etomidate had a significantly shorter onset time of neuromuscular block compared with those receiving the two other i.v. induction agents. There was a significant negative correlation between onset time of neuromuscular block and the maximum percent change in mean arterial pressure.