NM Blockers Flashcards
Signs of adequate reversal
Sustained 5 second head lift (indicates ability to adequately ventilate & protect the airway)
Leg raising (as sensitive as head life for neonates and infants)
Hand grip (more sensitive but less useful)
Spontaneous ventilation
Opening the eyes
Protrude the tongue
Coughing (be aware of possible stage 2–> look at pupils!)
Swallowing
Reaching toward endotracheal tube
Detection of residual block is difficult if
The patient is not awake and cooperative.
Remember that the PNS is just a tool, not the definitive answer on how reversed the patient is! Can still have 4 twitches with 75% of receptors blocked.
These factors can influence how quickly someone recovers for a NM block
- Degree of paralysis;
- pharmakokinetics/dynamics;
- blood levels of relaxant;
- infusion vs. bolus;
- specific antagonist used & dose;
- underlying NM dysfunction;
- drug interactions (enflurane> isoflurane> halothane);
- organ dysfunction;
- acid-base disturbances;
- age
When should we use a PNS?
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS when a NMB is used***
Also:
- When pharmacokinetics of relaxant are abnormal (hypothermia).
- In disease states (neuro, renal, hepatic)
- When post-op muscle power needs to be optimal (to monitor muscle strength or need to be able to do deep breathing, etc).
- When a continuous Infusion is used
Reasons to monitor twitches
- Wide inter-patient variability in dose requirements
- Facilitates timing of intubation
- Allows careful titration to effect
- Allows assessment of readiness for reversal
- Allows assessment of adequacy of reversal
- Differentiates type of block
- Facilitates early recognition of pseudocholinesterase deficiency
How many amps is the PNS able to generate?
100mA
How is the frequency of stimuli from the PNS measured?
In Hertz (Hz) = 1cycle/sec The common range used is .1 - 100 Hz
.1 Hz = 1 stimulus/10 sec
10 Hz = 10 stumuli/sec
Nerves used for the PNS and their provoked response
Ulnar nerve- elicits adduction of the adductor pollicis
Facial nerve- elicits obicularis oculi
Can also stimulate the median, posterior tibial, and the common peroneal
When might you monitor the facial nerve?
If both arms are tucked to the side
Monitoring this nerve is the most popular and most reliable
Ulnar nerve
Electrode placement for the ulnar nerve
1cm proximal to the crease of the wrist and then another electrode 2-5cm proximal to that one.
You can get a more pronounced response by placing the negative electrode as the most distal one, but either way will work.
Do all muscle groups respond the same way to NMBs?
No. Different muscle groups have different responses to NMBs. THEREFORE, results from one muscle group cannot be extrapolated to other muscles.
It is appropriate to choose a site for monitoring that has a similar response to the muscle of interest**
List of muscles and their sensitivity to NMBs. List from least to most sensitive
Vocal cords (least sensitive / most resistant) Diaphragm Obicularis oculi (facial nerve) Abdominal rectus Adductor pollicis (ulnar nerve) Masseter Pharyngeal EOMs
Which muscle response better reflects the extent of NM blockade of the diaphragm? Obicularis oculi or the adductor pollicis?
Obicularis oculi. It’s sensitivity to NMBs is more similar to the diaphragm’s.
The median nerve, posterior tibial, and common peroneal all have similar response profiles to PNS of this nerve
Ulnar
We can’t use PNS to directly monitor blockade of the diaphragm. So what clues can we use instead?
EtCO2 tracing, bellows, and looking directly at the diaphragm in the surgical field.
Advantage and disadvantage of monitoring the adductor pollicis
Disadvantage: you may still have diaphragm movement even after loss of single twitch or TOF
Advantage: On return of TOF, you should have full diaphragm function (no residual blockade in the diaphragm)
Purpose of single twitch stimulation and setting used
To determine baseline strength PRIOR to administration of NMB. Pattern will be the same whether using depol or non-depol.
Set at 0.1 Hz (1 stimulus every 10 sec)
The twitch response of the adductor pollicis is more likely to represent the degree of blockade at the cords when this med is used
Sux
If using single twitch, does return of full baseline heigh indicate full recovery from NMB?
Not necessarily! Remember that you can’t assess fade with single twitch. Pt may not be fully reversed
What is a phase II block for sux?
Phase II block looks just like a non-depolarizer, but there is no reversal agent for it.