Use of atracurium infusions for general surgical procedures including cardiac surgery with induced hypothermia.

Atracurium was administered by infusion to four patients undergoing general surgical procedures. A mean infusion rate of 0.0068 +/- 0.0007 mgkg-1 min-1 provided adequate surgical relaxation and recovery from neuromuscular blockade was similar to that following the use of bolus injections. The effect of hypothermia on the duration of action of atracurium was studied in six patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. During the phase of induced hypothermia, significantly slower infusion rates provided satisfactory surgical conditions. Atracurium appears to be eminently suitable for administration by infusion in both general and cardiac surgery.