Many overweight patients receiving vecuronium are being overdosed and may experience higher rates of reintubation as a result, according to a study reported in Anesthesiology News.
Researchers at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center analyzed the electronic medical records of more than 3,000 elective cases performed by senior anesthesiology providers and found that vecuronium was used in 1,071 cases. Among those patients, the maximum acceptable dose was exceeded in 23 percent of patients when total body weight was used to determine the dosage. Investigators also found that 70 percent of the patients who received higher-than-maximum doses were women.
Researchers concluded that ideal body weight may be a more effective guide than total body weight when administering the drug.
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Researchers at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center analyzed the electronic medical records of more than 3,000 elective cases performed by senior anesthesiology providers and found that vecuronium was used in 1,071 cases. Among those patients, the maximum acceptable dose was exceeded in 23 percent of patients when total body weight was used to determine the dosage. Investigators also found that 70 percent of the patients who received higher-than-maximum doses were women.
Researchers concluded that ideal body weight may be a more effective guide than total body weight when administering the drug.
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