Intraoperative hemodynamics with vecuronium bromide and rocuronium for maintenance under general anesthesia

The present study is undertaken to compare the hemodynamic effects using vecuronium versus rocuronium for maintenance in patients undergoing general surgical procedures.

It is a prospective, randomized, and cohort study.

100 patients were randomly divided into two groups. All patients were induced with 5 mg/kg of thiopentone sodium, and intubation conditions were achieved with 1.5 mg/kg of suxamethonium, using a well-lubricated cuffed endotracheal tube of appropriate size. When the patient started to breathe spontaneously, they were administered either 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium (Group A) or 0.1 mg/kg of vecuronium (Group B). Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate and mean arterial pressure [MAP]) were monitored before administering the drug; at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after the drug and at the end of the surgery.

Data were compiled, analyzed and presented as frequency, proportions, mean, standard deviation, percentages, and t-test using SPSS (version 16). A P < 0.05 was considered as significant.

The heart rate increased significantly at 1-min and 5-min after administration of rocuronium (83.76 ± 10.37 and 86.8 ± 9.98), unlike vecuronium. However, it gradually declined towards normal, and change in heart rate with either drug was not significant beyond 10 min. The MAP decreased significantly at 1-min after administration of rocuronium (96.68 ± 7.57) which later showed a gradual increasing trend when compared to vecuronium which had no statistically significant change at any time.

For short surgical procedures rocuronium is a good alternative to vecuronium, as the drug is reasonably cardio stable, produces excellent intubation conditions, has a shorter duration of action, and shows minimal cumulative effect.