INCREASE OF CREATINE KINASE ACTIVITY IN SERUM AS SIGN OF MUSCULAR INJURY CAUSED BY INTERMITTENTLY ADMINISTERED SUXAMETHONIUM DURING HALOTHANE ANAESTHESIA

Abstract

The serum creatine kinase (creatine phosphokinase) activity was determined immediately before anaesthesia and 24–28 hours later in patients undergoing ophthalmic operations. Halothane with nitrous oxide and oxygen was given. Suxamethonium was administered as a single dose, as a single dose followed by infusion, or in intermittent doses. Increased enzyme activity was found after intermittent administration; this increase was about seven times as great when halothane with nitrous oxide and oxygen was used, as when nitrous oxide and oxygen was given without halothane. After thiopentone induction there was less increase in activity than after gaseous induction. The increase in enzyme activity showed some correlation with the degree of visible fasciculations, whereas correlation with the occurrence of muscular pains could not be statistically ascertained.