Vecuronium and atracurium infusions during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass

Two similar groups of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting received either atracurium or vecuronium infusions for neuromuscular blockade. Both groups demonstrated a marked reduction in neuromuscular blocking requirements during hypothermic bypass at 30 C. The ratio of the dose rates at 30 C to that at 37 C was significantly less with vecuronium (p less than 0.01).