Reversal of profound rocuronium or vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block with sugammadex in isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs

This study evaluated the use of sugammadex for reversal of profound neuromuscular blockade induced with rocuronium or vecuronium in dogs. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen in eight dogs on two occasions. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored using peroneal nerve stimulation and acceleromyography. Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg or vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg was administered intravenously (IV), followed 5 min later by sugammadex 8 mg/kg IV. Lag and onset time of rocuronium and vecuronium, lag time from sugammadex injection to recovery of first twitch response, recovery of T1/T0 to 25% and 75%, recovery index, and time to recovery of the train-of-four ratio (T4/T1) to 0.9 were recorded. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were also noted. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA.Onset time for rocuronium (37 ± 18 s; [mean ± SD]) was significantly shorter than for vecuronium (62 ± 15 s) (P < 0.04). No other significant differences were found between the two groups. After both rocuronium and vecuronium blockade, T4/T1 recovered to 0.9 in under 2 min after sugammadex (58.1 ± 67.8 s and 98.1 ± 70.3 s, respectively; P < 0.32). Sugammadex can reverse profound neuromuscular blockade induced by vecuronium or rocuronium safely and rapidly in isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs.