CHAPTER 11 HEMOGLOBIN DESATURATION AFTER SUCCINYLCHOLINE

Hemoglobin Desaturation After Succinylcholine-induced Apnea: A Study of the Recovery of Spontaneous Ventilation in Healthy Volunteers

Heier T, Feiner JR, Lin J, et al. Anesthesiology. 2001;94(5):754–759

BACKGROUND

Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is now well established as a safe method for airway management in the ED. Succinylcholine is the most commonly used neuromuscular blocker during RSI because of its rapid onset and relatively short duration of action. Because of these properties, there was an anecdotal belief that patients would recover spontaneous breathing prior to significant desaturation. It was suggested that this anecdotal confidence led to an underestimation of the risks of succinylcholine-induced apnea.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether healthy volunteers given succinylcholine in a controlled setting recover spontaneous respiratory function rapidly enough to prevent significant hemoglobin desaturation.

METHODS

Observational study in the anesthesia department of a single academic institution in 2000.

Participants

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