[Succinyldicholin sensitivity resulting from genetically determined serumcholinesterase variants]

Prolonged apnea after succinyldicholin is a pharmacogenetic phenomenon. Estimation of genetically determined cholinesterase variants of patients with a prolonged apnea after succinyldicholin or in patients with cholinesterase deficiency respectively are described. The importance of atypical cholinesterase phenotypes in anaesthesia and the possibility of a therapy of prolonged apnea are mentioned. Biochemical data of atypical cholinesterase variants as cause of the prolonged degradation of succinyldicholin as well as formal genetic aspects of cholinesterase polymorphism are discussed.