NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKADE ADVISORY SYSTEM RANDOMISED, CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

In this paper, preliminary results of the Neuromuscular Blockade Advisory System (NMBAS) clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of NMBAS to standard care are presented. The NMBAS offers advice to the anesthesiologist on dosing of rocuronium based on measured patient response. The NMBAS is being compared against standard practice in a randomized, controlled clinical trial. The NMBAS uses a sixth order Laguerre model to approximate neuromuscular response and a extended horizon control scheme to predict future levels and needs for NMB agent. Thirty-six patients were tested, thirteen patients in the NMBAS group, eleven in the standard care group and twelve excluded. Patient health and demographics, procedures, drug use, and ability to maintain surgically useful conditions and with easy reversibility were equivalent between the two groups. The incidence of adverse events in the OR showed a marked improvement with the NMBAS. As well, responses measured at reversal and extubation were higher for the NMBAS indicating less chance of post-operative adverse events.