STUDY O IN THE CENTRAL ACTION OF NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENTS

Abstract

The action of neuromuscular blocking agents upon the central nervous system has not yet been sufficiently investigated, even though the mechanism of their action upon the neuromuscular junction has been considerably elucidated. Recently, it was reported that these blocking agent, especially succinylcholine, may produce the so-called prolonged or protracted apnea which is undesirable from the clinical standpoint. This apnea, though it develops only infrequently, is a matter of concern to anesthetists.
It was felt that clarifying the central action of these agents upon respiration might be a clue to elucidating the prolonged apnea. Three different preparations were employed in an attempt to demonstrate, the central action of these agents upon respiration: 1) the head perfusion on the living dog, 2) the intracarotid injection coupled with recording phrenic nerve discharge, and 3) the injection into the lateral ventricle.