A Randomized, Dose-Response Study of Sugammadex Given for the Reversal of Deep Rocuronium- or Vecuronium-Induced Neuromuscular Blockade Under Sevoflurane Anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex is the first of a new class of selective muscle relaxant binding drugs developed for the rapid and complete reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium and vecuronium. Many studies have demonstrated a close-response relationship with sugammadex for reversal of neuromuscular blockade in patients induced and maintained under propofol anesthesia. However, sevoflurane anesthesia, unlike propofol, can prolong the effect of neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBDs) such as rocuronium and vecuronium. METHODS: We designed this randomized, open-label, dose-response trial to explore the dose-response relationship of sugammadex for the reversal of deep neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium or vecuronium under propofol-induced and sevoflurane-maintained anesthesia. As a secondary objective, the safety variables of sugammadex were evaluated. After anesthesia induction with propofol, 102 patients aged >= 20 and RESULTS: The per-protocol population consisted of 48 patients in the rocuronium group and 47 in the vecuronium group. A dose-response effect was demonstrated for decreased mean time to recovery of the T-4/T-1 ratio to 0.9 with increasing sugammadex dose in both NMBD groups (per-protocol Population): rocuronium group, 79.8 (SD 33.0) min (sugammadex 0.5 mg/kg) to 1.7 (07) min (4.0 mg/kg) and 1.1 (0.3) min (8.0 mg/kg subgroup); vecuronium group, 68.4 (31.9) min (0.5 mg/kg) to 3.3 (3.5) min (4.0 mg/kg), and 1.7 (0.8) min (8.0 mg/kg subgroup). Neuromuscular monitoring showed recurrent neuromuscular blockade in 5 patients, all in the rocuronium group (2 given sugammadex 0.5 mg/kg and 3 given 1.0 mg/kg), but there were no clinical events attributable to recurrent or residual neuromuscular blockade. CONCLUSION: Sugammadex at doses of 4 mg/kg provides rapid reversal of deep rocuronium- and vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade under sevoflurane maintenance anesthesia. (Anesth Analg 2010;110:74-82)