Neuromuscular BlockConventional theories of neuromuscular block often fail to explain many everyday clinical observations. Scientific progress depends upon questioning the cause of these paradoxes and proposing alternative explanations. Research tests these hypotheses and allows us to seek a preferred explanation of these events. Drawing heavily on his own research experiences over some 35 years, the author has set out to present alternative explanations of everyday experiences in the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in a manner readily understandable to clinical anaesthetists. This is not meant to be a definitive textbook on muscle relaxants. Rather, this book emphasises what is NOT known and which information (presented as fact) leaves questions unanswered. Much of the book is new information and many of the explanations offered are original; some are controversial. If 'Neuromuscular Block' provokes discussion and causes a measurement of established theories, it will have served its purpose. |
Contents
History | 1 |
The neuromuscular junction | 7 |
Neuromuscular transmission | 18 |
Copyright | |
16 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
AChR activity administered affinity agonist Anaesth Anaesthesia Anesthesiology anticholinesterase atracurium biophase binding sites block produced blood flow bolus Bowman WC cause choline cholinesterase clinical concentration gradient concentration of drug curare d-tubocurarine decamethonium demonstrated depolarizing drugs depression dose of drug dose of vecuronium drug concentration ED95 dose edrophonium effect end-plate evidence excretion explain Feldman gallamine Hood JR hypothermia increase injection intubating isolated forearm mechanism metabolism mivacurium molecules muscle relaxants muscular block neostigmine neuro neuromuscular blocking agents neuromuscular blocking drugs neuromuscular junction neuromuscular transmission non-depolarizing block non-depolarizing drugs observed occurs onset and offset onset of block pancuronium patients pharmacokinetic Pharmacol phrenic nerve phrenic nerve diaphragm Physiol plasma plasma concentration plasma level presynaptic priming prolonged rapid onset rate of onset rate of stimulation receptor occupancy reduced residual result reversal rocuronium subunits suggested suxamethonium synaptic cleft temperature tetanic fade TOF fade tourniquet train-of-four tubocurare twitch response vecuronium vesicles Waud whilst