Role of cholinesterase activity on pharmacodynamics of mivacurium preceded by pancuronium in elderly and young adults

Mivacurium- pancuronium combination proved to be more potent than either drug given alone. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this combination in elderly group and its correlation to plasma butyryl cholinesterase [Bche] activity. Forty patients, ASA I or II scheduled for elective open cholecystectomy were allocated into two groups of twenty patients each: young group [18- 55 years] and elderly group [60-75 years]. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam, fentanyl, and propofol then maintained with isoflurane and opioid supplementation. Neuromuscular blockade [NMB] was monitored by train-of-four [TOF] stimulation of the ulnar nerve. After calibration, NMB was achieved by 16 micro g kg[-1] pancuronium followed by 32 micro g kg[-1] mivacurium. The following parameters were recorded: The onset time, clinical duration, recovery index and the total dose of mivacurium and pancuronium together with hemodynamic data. Three blood samples for Bche activity were collected: before pancuronium injection, 3 min. and 30 min. afterwards in both groups. The onset time and the recovery index of NMB were comparable in both groups. The duration of action was significantly prolonged in elderly group [49.8 +/- 10.48 min.] compared to young one [37.13 +/- 7.81 min.]. The total dose of mivacurium was significantly less in the elderly group [22.56 +/- 2.39 micro g kg[-1] hr[-1]] when compared to the young group [25.78 +/- 3.05 micro g kg[-1] hr[-1]]. For all patients, the preoperative Bche activity was within the normal range. After pancuronium injection, it showed a significant reduction in both groups at three and thirty minutes except a non significant value in young at thirty minutes. This reduction showed a significantly higher percent change in the elderly group [30.37 +/- 22.01] than the young group [8.60 +/- 19.19] at thirty minutes. There were significant intra operative variations in the percent changes of hemodynamic data compared to the preoperative values, yet, still within the clinically acceptable range. So, the use of a small dose of pancuronium followed by a small dose of mivacurium with a ratio of 1:2 can produce synergism without affecting either the recovery profile of mivacurium or the clinical hemodynamic stability even in the elderly group