Effect of aminophylline on the recovery of atracurium in major surgical procedures

In this study a trial to shorten the recovery time of atracurium by using aminophylline 3 mg.kg-1 body wt. slowly i.v. was done on 40 cases comparing the results with a control group of another 40 cases. Aminophylline was found to be very effective in decreasing the mean recovery time of atracurium from 15.24 +/- 2.08 to 11.6 +/- 23 minutes, and this difference was statistically significant [P <0.001]. The recovery of aminophylline showed less pain, less bronchospasm on extubation, and more liability to ventricular extrasystoles. So, aminophylline is recommended to be given at the end of major surgical procedures to enhance the recovery of atracurium, but, it must be given very slowly under ECG monitoring