Closed-loop infusion of atracurium with four different anesthetic techniques

A new proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller for the automated closed-loop delivery of atracurium was tested in 32 patients. Groups of 8 patients received halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, or N2O/morphine anesthesia. After induction of anesthesia with sodium thiopental 3-5 mg.kg-1, a bolus of atracurium 0.2 mg.kg-1 was delivered by the controller; this was followed by an infusion calculated by the controller to maintain the electromyogram (EMG) at a setpoint of 90% neuromuscular blockade. The average overshoot for the controller was 10.1% and the mean steady-state error 3.0%. The mean infusion rates for atracurium to maintain 90% blockade were calculated for each anesthetic group, with the inhalation anesthetics at 1 MAC. Infusion rates for N2O/morphine, halothane 0.8%, enflurane 1.7%, and isoflurane 1.4% at 90% blockade were 5.7 +/- 0.6, 4.9 +/- 0.3, 3.5 +/- 0.3, and 4.1 +/- 0.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, respectively (mean +/- SE). The infusion rate for atracurium at 90% blockade under N2O/morphine anesthesia was in general agreement with published values. The other infusion rates at 90% blockade have not been reported previously, but correspond to the known potencies of these inhalation anesthetics for augmentation of neuromuscular blockade. This controller performed well in comparison to previously developed controllers, and in addition was used as a research tool for rapid estimation of infusion rates.