A comparison of the effects of isoflurane and desflurane on the neuromuscular effects of mivacurium.

Abstract

The effects of 1 MAC of desflurane and isoflurane (in 66% nitrous oxide) on the potency and duration of action of mivacurium were studied in 80 patients. The ED95 of mivacurium was 86 micrograms.kg-1 (74-100) and 88 micrograms.kg-1 (76-103) (mean and 95% confidence intervals) during anaesthesia with desflurane and isoflurane respectively. The onset and duration of recovery to 25, 75 and 90% of T1 (first response in the TOF) of 200 micrograms.kg-1 of mivacurium were 1.4 (0.3) and 1.5 (0.3) min (mean and SD), 22 (4.9) and 19 (4.0), 29 (6.6) and 26 (5.8), and 32 (7.3) and 29 (6.6) min respectively. There was no significant difference in any of the variables between desflurane and isoflurane. It is concluded that the neuromuscular effects of mivacurium are similar during anaesthesia with 1 MAC of desflurane and isoflurane.