Tacrine-suxamethonium apnea in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

Twelve patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis were compared with another twelve control group. They were divided into three subgroups of four patients each. The duration of suxamethonium tacrine apnea was measured in the first subgroup, while in the second subgroup, the suxamethonium tacrine apnea was calculated after a previous dose of suxamethonium. The duration of apnea following two successive doses of suxamethonium was estimated in the third subgroup. The plasma cholinesterase was measured in all patients. The duration of suxamethonium apnea was not different following either the first or second dose. Tacrine prolonged suxamethonium apnea in both groups, but the prolongation was more in bilharzial patients. There was no significant difference in the plasma cholinesterase level in either group.