Sugammadex: a novel neuromuscular blocker binding agent

A retrospective study of sugammadex for reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium in critically ill patients in the ICU

Sugammadex has been approved for reversal of neuromuscular blockade by vecuronium and rocuronium in adults undergoing surgery. Although widely used in the operating room, sugammadex has not been investigated in the intensive care unit setting. This study aimed to evaluate the use of sugammadex in critically ill patients with a focus on known drug-related adverse reactions. In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, 91 critically ill patients who were administered sugammadex while in the ICU were evaluated. Electronic health records were reviewed, and baseline data, as well as indication and incidence of complications possibly related to sugammadex, were retrospectively collected. The most common procedures requiring neuromuscular blockade followed by reversal with sugammadex were bronchoscopy, percutaneous dilatative tracheostomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Within 2 h following administration of sugammadex, skin rash and use of antihistamines were reported in 4 patients (4.4%) in total; bradycardia was observed in 9 patients (9.9%), and respiratory adverse events were described in 3 patients (3.3%). New-onset bleeding up to 24 h after sugammadex was reported in 7 patients (7.7%), 3of whom received transfusions of packed red blood cells. Sugammadex was well tolerated in critically ill patients and could be considered for reversal of neuromuscular blockade in this population. Larger prospective studies are required to determine the safety profile and evaluate the potential benefit and indications of sugammadex in the critical care setting.

Risk Factors Associated With Development of Urinary Retention Following Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion: Special Attention to the Use of Glycopyrrolate in Anesthesia Reversal

STUDY DESIGN

The study is designed as a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors of postoperative urinary retention in spine surgery patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Postoperative urinary retention is a common complication in patients undergoing operative procedures requiring anesthesia. Current studies have shown significant risk factors for postoperative urinary retention, but most are nonmodifiable and subsequently of limited usefulness in preventing this complication. Several new studies have shown possible modifiable risk factors, but current data are inconsistent in terms of their statistical significance.

METHODS

A total of 814 consecutive patients who underwent open posterior lumbar laminectomy and fusion were included in the retrospective cohort study. Pre, intra-, and postoperative characteristics were collected in all patients to identify risk factors for postoperative urinary retention.

RESULTS

Glycopyrrolate use (odds ratio [OR] 2.60; P = 0.001), decreased body mass index (OR 0.96; P = 0.018), previous diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia (OR 3.34; P ≤ 0.001), and postoperative urinary tract infection (OR 5.60, P = 0.005) were associated with postoperative urinary retention. Previous history of lumbar spine surgery (OR 0.55; P = 0.019) was associated with decreased rates of postoperative urinary retention.

CONCLUSION

Glycopyrrolate use, benign prostate hyperplasia, and postoperative urinary tract infection were independent risk factors for postoperative urinary retention. The use of glycopyrrolate is a potentially modifiable risk factor for postoperative urinary retention.Level of Evidence: 3.

Anaesthesia for minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is rising in popularity. It offers well-known benefits to the patient. However, restricted access to the surgical site and gas insufflation into the body cavities may result in severe complications. From the anaesthetic point of view MIS poses unique challenges associated with creation of pneumoperitoneum, carbon dioxide absorption, specific positioning and monitoring a patient to whom the anaesthetist has often restricted access, in a poorly lit environment. Moreover, with refinement of surgical procedures and growing experience the anaesthetist is presented with patients from high-risk groups (obese, elderly, with advanced cardiac and respiratory disease) who once were deemed unsuitable for the laparoscopic technique. Anaesthetic management is aimed at getting the patient safely through the procedure, minimizing the specific risks arising from laparoscopy and the patient's coexisting medical problems, ensuring quick recovery and a relatively pain-free postoperative course with early return to normal function.

The use of Rocuronium in a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis and End-Stage Lung Disease Made Safe by Sugammadex Reversal

While the pharmacology of sugammadex has been extensively reviewed, there is limited literature regarding its use in specific clinical settings. Several case reports describe its use in patients with the potential for postoperative respiratory dysfunction; in the settings of myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy. We describe the use of sugammadex in a patient with severe bronchiectasis related to cystic fibrosis who required neuromuscular block for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion. The use of rocuronium for neuromuscular block was preferred in order to avoid the potential complications associated with the use of suxamethonium. However, we wished to ensure complete neuromuscular block reversal for this short duration procedure in this high-risk patient and also to avoid the side-effects of traditional reversal agents. We therefore planned in advance to use sugammadex for neuromuscular block reversal, and this approach proved successful. Overall, the combination of rocuronium and sugammadex improved perioperative surgical and anaesthetic management in this patient.

[Sugammadex, a novel drug for neuromuscular blockade reversal]

Significant progress in the management of aminosteroid nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers will follow the introduction of sugammadex (Org 25969). Safety and rapid recovery of muscle force will improve and the adverse effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors will be avoided. Sugammadex is a modified gamma-cyclodextrin agent developed for the specific reversal of rocuronium and, to a lesser extent, vecuronium. This novel drug functions by means of encapsulation (chelation). Sugammadex was recently approved by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency and became available in Spain in 2009, leading to a series of changes related to patient safety and surgical conditions. We review the literature on sugammadex published to date.

[Efficacy of sugammadex in the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium in long-duration surgery: under inhaled vs. intravenous anesthesia]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Sugammadex reverses neuromuscular blockade induced by aminosteroid agents by encapsulating these agents. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of sugammadex to reverse a rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in long-duration surgery in association with inhaled or intravenous anesthesia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial of 20 ASA 1-3 patients aged between 18 and 69 years and scheduled for elective surgery lasting at least 120 minutes. Anesthesia was induced with remifentanil and rocuronium at a dosage of 0.6 mg x kg(-1), and neuromuscular function was monitored by means of acceleromyography. After randomization, anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane or with propofol for total intravenous anesthesia. Patients in both groups also received an infusion of remifentanil for analgesia and rocuronium to maintain a block of greater than 90%. After surgery, sugammadex was administered at a dosage of 2 mg x kg(-1) on reappearance of the second train-of-four (TOF) twitch (T2) and the times until recovery of T4/T1 ratios of 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9 (main endpoints). Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded at baseline and after 2, 5, 10, and 30 minutes (secondary outcome measures).

RESULTS

Although less rocuronium was consumed in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group and the time between the start of sugammadex administration until recovery of a TOF ratio of 0.9 was shorter for the sevoflurane group than for propofol group (mean [SD], 1.46 [0.30] minutes and 1.89 [0.62] minutes, respectively), these differences were not significant. No signs of recurarization or associated adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Sugammadex effectively and safely reverses a rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in less than 2 minutes in long-duration surgery performed under both inhaled and intravenous anesthesia. The interaction of neuromuscular blocking agents with sevoflurane appears not to affect the reversal time of sugammadex in such operations.