The Detection and Identification of Quaternary Nitrogen Muscle Relaxants in Biological Fluids and Tissues by Ion-Trap LC-ESI-MS

[ Abstract ] Quaternary nitrogen muscle relaxants pancuronium, rocuronium, vecuronium, gallamine, suxamethonium, mivacurium, and atracurium and its metabolites were extracted from whole blood and other biological fluids and tissues by using a solid-phase extraction procedure. The extracts were examined by using highperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The were separated on a ODS column in a gradient of ammonium acetate buffer 5.0) and acetonitrile. Full-scan mass spectra of the compounds showed molecular ions, and MS-MS spectra showed fragments typical of the particular compounds. LC-ESI-MS allowed an unequivocal differentiation of all muscle relaxants involved. The method was