Pipecuronium and pancuronium: a comparative clinical study

ABSTRACT

30 patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive either pipecuronium or pancuronium. Further randomization divided the patients into four subgroups, based on recovery from blockade [25% to 75%] spontaneous versus antagonist induced reversal. Equipotent doses of pipecuronium and pancuronium 35 and 45 mug/kg respectively were given. Pipecuronium was found to have a significantly shorter duration of the first maintenance dose and a faster spontaneous recovery rate. The train-of-four ratio was statistically the same in all groups at checked times during single twitch recovery. Pipecuronium is a cardiovascular clean drug without counteraction of the bradycardiac response caused by other agents [e.g. opiates]