Intraoperative hemodynamics with vecuronium bromide and rocuronium for maintenance under general anesthesia

AIMS: The present study is undertaken to compare the hemodynamic effects using vecuronium versus rocuronium for maintenance in patients undergoing general surgical procedures. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It is a prospective, randomized, and cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups. All patients were induced with 5 mg/kg of thiopentone sodium, and intubation conditions were achieved with 1.5 mg/kg of suxamethonium, using a well-lubricated cuffed endotracheal tube of appropriate size. When the patient started to breathe spontaneously, they were administered either 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium (Group A) or 0.1 mg/kg of vecuronium (Group B). Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate and mean arterial pressure [MAP]) were monitored before administering the drug; at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after the drug and at the end of the surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were compiled, analyzed and presented as frequency, proportions, mean, standard deviation, percentages, and t-test using SPSS (version 16). A P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The heart rate increased significantly at 1-min and 5-min after administration of rocuronium (83.76 ± 10.37 and 86.8 ± 9.98), unlike vecuronium. However, it gradually declined towards normal, and change in heart rate with either drug was not significant beyond 10 min. The MAP decreased significantly at 1-min after administration of rocuronium (96.68 ± 7.57) which later showed a gradual increasing trend when compared to vecuronium which had no statistically significant change at any time. CONCLUSIONS: For short surgical procedures rocuronium is a good alternative to vecuronium, as the drug is reasonably cardio stable, produces excellent intubation conditions, has a shorter duration of action, and shows minimal cumulative effect.