Investigation of proarrhythmic effect of high sugammadex doses: an experimental animal study

BACKGROUND

Studies on higher doses of sugammadex effect on QT interval and leading arrhythmia have been limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate possible proarrhythmic effect of higher doses of sugammadex in conditions that required urgent reversal of neuromuscular blockade during general anesthesia in an experimental animal model.

METHODS

It was experimental animal study. Total of 15 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups for low (4 mg/kg, n = 5), moderate (16 mg/kg, n = 5), and high dose of sugammadex (32 mg/kg, n = 5). All rabbits were premedicated by intramuscular ketamine 10 mg/kg, and general anesthesia was inducted by intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg of a propofol, 1 mcg/kg fentanyl, and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium injection. Airway was provided by V-gel rabbit and connected to anesthetic device and ventilated at about 40 cycle/min and 10 ml/kg; oxygen 50% plus air 50% mixture was used with 1 MAC isoflurane to maintain anesthesia. Electrocardiographic monitorization and arterial cannulation were provided to follow-up mean arterial pressure and for arterial blood gas analyses. Intravenous sugammadex in three different doses were injected at 25th min of induction. After observing adequate respiration of all rabbits, V-gel rabbit was removed. Parameters and ECG recordings were taken basal value before induction and at the 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, 30th, and 40th min to measure corrected QT intervals and were stored on digital media. QT interval was calculated as the time from the beginning of the Q wave to the end of the T wave. Corrected QT interval was calculated according to the Bazett's formula. Possible adverse effects were observed and recorded.

RESULTS

In all three groups, there was no significant statistical difference in mean arterial blood gases parameters, arterial pressures, heart rates, and Bazett QTc values, and no serious arrhythmia was recorded.

CONCLUSION

We found in animal study that low, moderate, and high doses of sugammadex did not significantly altered corrected QT intervals and did not cause any significant arrhythmia.

Sugammadex Reduces PACU Recovery Time after Abdominal Surgery Compared with Neostigmine

OBJECTIVE

This study blindly evaluated sugammadex compared with neostigmine on length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

METHODS

Fifty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy or abdominal wall hernia repair consented to receive either sugammadex (2 mg/kg) or neostigmine (0.07 mg/kg) for the reversal of rocuronium neuromuscular blockade. Reversal agents were administered during surgical closing, and the train of four was measured until a twitch ratio of T4:T1 ≥ 0.9 was obtained to signify a robust reversal. Postreversal outcomes also were measured during PACU stay. Aldrete scores, pain visual analog scale score, and nausea were measured during the PACU stay.

RESULTS

Patients receiving sugammadex experienced a shorter PACU stay at the time of discharge than patients receiving neostigmine, by an average of 12 minutes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sugammadex patients had a significantly shorter PACU stay.

Sugammadex, the Guardian of Deep Muscle Relaxation During Conventional and Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery: A Narrative Review

High intra-abdominal pressure induced by artificial pneumoperitoneum can obviously impair respiratory and circulatory functions and has a negative effect on the prognosis of patients undergoing conventional and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. The application of deep neuromuscular blockade during the operation is reported to lower the intra-abdominal pressure and improve patients’ outcome. However, concern lies in the risks of postoperative residual muscular paralysis with the use of deep neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex, a specific antagonist for aminosteroids muscle relaxants, can effectively and rapidly reverse rocuronium and vecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade of different depths. Thus, sugammadex allows the ability to safeguard the application of deep neuromuscular blockade in laparoscopic operations and helps to alleviate the adverse complications associated with pneumoperitoneum. Here, we review the application of deep neuromuscular blockade in different laparoscopic surgeries and discuss the benefits and possible risks of sugammadex administration in the reversal of deep neuromuscular blockade in these operations.

The Effects of Sugammadex on Progesterone Levels in Pregnant Rats

BACKGROUND

Sugammadex has been shown to decrease the efficiency of progesterone-containing oral contraceptive drugs which possess a steroid structure.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sugammadex on progesterone levels in pregnant rats as well as on the physiological course of the pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Animal experiment.

METHODS

This study was approved by the Selçuk University Ethical Committee for Experimental Animal Research. Pregnant Winster Albino rats (n=26) were divided into three groups and administered with various intravenous injections on the 7(th) day of pregnancy. The control group (Group K, n=6) received 1.5 mL serum physiologic, the sugammadex group (Group S, n=10) received 30 mg/kg sugammadex and the sugammadex + rocuronium group (Group SR, n=10) received 30 mg/kg sugammadex and 3.5 mg/kg rocuronium. Progesterone levels were measured and the offspring were monitored for morphologic status.

RESULTS

Mean progesterone levels were 94.16±15.54 ng/mL in Group K, 87.86±12.48 ng/mL in Group S, and 94.53±16.10 ng/mL in Group SR (p>0.05). No stillbirth or miscarriage was observed in the rats. The mean number of offspring was 6.8±1.47 in Group K, 6.5±1.35 in Group S, and 6.4±1.17 in Group SR. The offspring appeared macroscopically normal.

CONCLUSION

Sugammadex does not appear to affect the progesterone levels in pregnant rats in the first trimester and the clinical course. Successful completion of pregnancy and the absence of stillbirth or miscarriage will guide future studies about the use of sugammadex, particularly in the first trimester of the pregnancy.