[Atracurium and cirrhosis: clinical study of the curariform action]

Hepatic function influences the action of muscle relaxants. Among these drugs, the elimination of atracurium does not depend on liver function. The clinical effects of atracurium were studied in ten patients with portal hypertension and some degree of liver dysfunction and in ten normal patients. The cirrhotic patients underwent resection of oesophageal varices while control patients underwent abdominal surgery. All patients received 0.6 mg X kg-1 atracurium as a first intravenous bolus injection and 0.2 mg X kg-1 incremental doses. The delay of action, the degree of neuromuscular block and the delay of reversal of the block were compared. No statistically significant differences were observed. It is suggested that non significant differences observed could be attributed to an increased volume of distribution of drugs in the cirrhotic patient. These results would suggest that atracurium may be the best relaxant in patients with severe liver failure.