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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
Atracurium during induced hyperthermia
Gersten Jonker1, Leo J Hoogenboom, Bert van Ramshorst
1Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 85090, Utrecht 3508 AB, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
During hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), we observed a partial recovery from neuromuscular block in a hyperthermic patient after hours of monitored adequate surgical relaxation and continuous infusion of atracurium during normothermia. This recovery is indicative of the higher clearance of atracurium during hyperthermia. This case report emphasizes the clinical relevance of the well-known temperature dependence of the Hofmann elimination of atracurium. Moreover, this report illustrates the importance of monitoring muscle relaxation during HIPEC. Clinicians should be aware that the usual continuous infusion rate of atracurium at 0.3 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) may be inadequate in hyperthermic patients.
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