Neurophysiological Assessment of Prolonged Recovery From Neuromuscular Blockade in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate recovery from neuromuscular blockade in infants using Train-of-Four nerve stimulation. Study Design: Ulnar nerve stimulation was used to evoke thumb twitch and reported as Train-of-Four ratio. Thumb twitch was also recorded visually in real-time. Primary outcome was time to near recovery of muscle function (Train-of-Four ratio >70%). Secondary analyses were time to greater degrees of recovery (Train-of-Four ratio >80, 90%), sensitivity of accelerometry vs. visual thumb-twitch and clinical variates to assess safety. Results: Patients were enrolled following rocuronium-boluses (n = 10) and vecuronium-infusions (n = 9). Median recovery time to Train-of-Four ratio >70% was 14 h following rocuronium-bolus dosing and 34 h following cessation of continuous vecuronium infusion. Median stimulus threshold for accelerometry was 27.5 mA and visual observation was 20 mA. There were no safety concerns. Conclusion(s): Neuromuscular monitoring using Train-of-Four nerve stimulation is feasible in infants. Some infants exhibited prolonged recovery from neuromuscular-blockade. These pilot data may facilitate future standardized pediatric protocols on neuromuscular monitoring for safer dosing.