Onset and duration of action of vecuronium in the elderly: comparison with adults

Abstract

The onset and duration of action of vecuronium were studied in young adult (n = 30; mean age 34 ± 11.1 (s.d.) yr), middle‐aged (n = 20; mean age 60 ± 5.8 yr) and elderly patients (n = 30; mean age 80 ± 4.6 yr) anaesthetised with thiopentone, nitrous oxide in oxygen and halothane. Neuromuscular block was monitored by applying the train‐of‐four (TOF) stimulation at 2 Hz to the ulnar nerve every 12 s. Half the patients in each group received 0.08 and the other half 0.12 mg kg^‐1 of the relaxant. The time to return of T1 (first response in the TOF sequence) to 25% of control was 28 ± 5.2 (s.d.), 34 ± 7.1 and 39 ± 10.2 min following 0.08 mg kg^‐1 dose (P‐1 dose, respectively, in the three age groups (P‐1 was 9.6 ± 3.4, 13.6 ± 5.1 and 17.4 ± 6.1 min, respectively (PP<0.05) of these parameters in the elderly.