Comparison of Vecuronium and Meperidine on the Clinical and Metabolic Effects of Shivering After Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The use of vecuronium and meperidine on the clinical and metabolic effects of shivering in mechanically ventilated patients after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was compared. Twenty adult male patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomized to meperidine, 25 to 75 mg (n = 10), or vecuronium, 0.1 microgram/kg (n = 10), for the treatment of shivering during postoperative rewarming. Vecuronium was continued as an infusion at 1.0 microgram/kg/min for 4 hours. Meperidine abolished shivering in 50% of patients with a 60% recurrence within 2 hours and did not correct acute respiratory acidosis when it occurred. Vecuronium uniformly abolished shivering, corrected acute respiratory acidosis, and improved mixed venous oxygen saturation (20% v 4%), decreased oxygen consumption (-32% v -7%) and decreased end-tidal carbon dioxide (-21% v -5%) significantly more than meperidine (p < 0.005). Meperidine administration caused a significant decline in systolic blood pressure (121.9 +/- 10.6 mmHg to 106.9 +/- 8.5 mmHg, p = < 0.02). The authors conclude that, during rewarming after hypothermic CPB, muscle relaxation with vecuronium reverses both the clinical and metabolic effects of shivering more reliably and effectively than repeated boluses of meperidine, and with greater hemodynamic stability. Control can be maintained by continuous infusion of vecuronium with concomitant sedation for up to 4 hours without prolonging intubation time.