The pattern of train-of-four fade after atracurium: influence of different priming doses.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of three different priming doses of atracurium--0.06, 0.07, and 0.08 mg/kg--followed 3 min later by the remainder of a 0.5 mg/kg dose on the relationship between the depression in the first twitch of the train-of-four (T1) and train-of-four (TOF) fade. This relationship was studied after the administration of the full dose of the relaxant in all groups. Of all the priming doses, 0.08 mg/kg atracurium, when followed 3 min later by 0.42 mg/kg atracurium, had a significantly greater fade in the TOF ratio at any given T1 value. This may indicate significant prejunctional activity. Acceleration of the onset of neuromuscular blockade was, however, evident in all groups that received atracurium in divided doses. The implication is, therefore, that prejunctional activity may not contribute significantly to the acceleration of onset of neuromuscular blockade after administration of atracurium in divided doses, as described in this study.