Effect of Propranolol on Serum K+ Changes Induced by Succinylcholine / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Succinylcholine induces a small increase in serum K+ (0.3~0.5mEq/l) in normal patients, but it may produce fatal increases in sensitive conditions, including severe burn, massive trauma, tetanus and neuromuscular disorders. Recently, interest has been focussed on the role of the adrenergic system in extrarenal potassium hemeostasis. According to this concept, beta-adrenergic stimulation enhances and conversely a blockade imparis celluar uptake of potassium. Meanwhile propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, is an incresingly, common drug among surgical patients. Therefore, the present experiment was carried out on 66 patients in order to determine whether propranolol augments or prolongs the increases in serum K+ following succinylcholine injection(2mg/kg, I.V.). Serum K+ and Na+ levels were measured just prior to induction and at 3,5,10,30,60,90 minutes following succinylcholine administration. The patients were divided into three groups Group 1 26 patients without propranolol treatment, Group 2 20 patients pretreat with divided doses of propranolol (320 mg b.i.d. p.o.). and Group 3 20 patients on chronic propranolol therapy. The results were as follows. 1) Baseline K+ valuses were significantly higher in propranolol treated patients(Groups 2 and 3) than in non-treated patients(Group 1). 2) The magnitude of maximum increases in serum K+ following succinylcholine was 0.19mEq/l, 0.16mEq/l and 0.21mEq/l in group 1,2 and 3, respectively. 3) The time to peak increases in K+ was 30min, 5min and 3 min following succinylcholine in group 1,2 and 3, respectively. 4) Serum Na+ decreased significantly following succinylcholine administration in all groups, but there was no significant difference among the groups at other times. These results indicate that propranolol neither augments nor prolongs increases in serum K+ following succinylcholin injection. Thus succinylcholine can be used safely in the presence of a beta-adrenergic blockade.