Neuromuscular blockade: what was, is and will be

Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) produce neuromuscular blockade by competing with acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, whereas depolarizing NMBAs open receptor channels in a manner similar to that of acetylcholine. Problems with NMBAs include malignant hyperthermia caused by succinylcholine, anaphylaxis with the highest incidence for succinylcholine and rocuronium, and residual neuromuscular blockade. To reverse these blocks, anticholinesterases can act indirectly by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction; sugammadex is the only selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA) in clinical use. At all levels of blockade, recovery after sugammadex is faster than after neostigmine. Sugammadex potentially also has some other advantages over neostigmine that are related to neostigmine's increase in the amount of acetylcholine and the necessity of co-administering anticholinergics. However, hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in some patients and healthy volunteers after sugammadex and remain an issue for the FDA. In the near future, we may see the emergence of new SRBAs and of easier-to-use technologies that can routinely monitor neuromuscular transmissions in daily practice. The nature of the effect of sugammadex on freeing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located outside the neuromuscular junction from NMBAs is unknown. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the full removal of the competing antagonists (by SRBAs) at the neuromuscular junction impacts the efficiency of acetylcholine transmission. In a recent pilot study in healthy volunteers, we demonstrated increased electromyographic diaphragm activity after sugammadex, compared to neostigmine. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of NMBAs and their reversal agents in the central control of breathing, respiratory muscle activity, and respiratory outcomes.