Related Experiment Videos
Plasma histamine levels following atracurium
Anaesthesia
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Atracurium, a muscle relaxant, causes minimal histamine release in most patients. While some show elevated histamine levels shortly after injection, clinical signs of histamine release are not always present.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Atracurium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent.
- Histamine release is a potential side effect of some anesthetic drugs.
- Understanding histamine release is crucial for patient safety during anesthesia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify plasma histamine levels after atracurium administration.
- To correlate plasma histamine levels with clinical signs of histamine release.
- To assess the histamine release potential of atracurium.
Main Methods:
- Plasma histamine levels were measured in 41 patients at 1.5 and 4 minutes post-atracurium injection.
- Clinical observations for histamine release symptoms were recorded concurrently.
- Atracurium was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg.
Main Results:
- Sixteen out of 41 patients showed elevated plasma histamine levels (mean 2.6 ng/ml) at 1.5 minutes.
- Histamine levels returned to baseline by 4 minutes post-injection.
- A weak correlation was observed between plasma histamine levels and clinical manifestations.
Conclusions:
- Atracurium demonstrates a low potential for significant plasma histamine release.
- Cutaneous reactions following atracurium do not consistently indicate elevated plasma histamine levels.
- The clinical significance of minor histamine elevations requires further investigation.