Episode 31.0 – Rocuronium vs. Succinycholine

This podcast is a recorded lecture from our conference on why Rocuronium should be the go to drug for RSI in the ED.

January 25th, 2016 Download 2 Comments Tags: , , ,

Show Notes

Sydney HEMS Sux Contraindications

Sydney HEMS Sux Contraindications

Read More:

Strayer RJ. Rocuronium versus succinylcholine: Cochrane synopsis reconsidered. Ann Emerg Med 2011; 58(2): 217-8

Strayer RJ. Rocuronium vs. succinylcholine revisited. Ann Emerge Med 2010; 39(3): 345-6.

Mallon WK et al. Response to Rocuronium vs. succinylcholine revisited. Ann Emerge Med 2010; 39(3): 346-7.

Strayer RJ. (2010, January 14). Screencast: Rocuronium vs. Succinylcholine in 8 minutes. Retrieved from http://emupdates.com/2010/01/14/rocuronium-vs-succinylcholine/

References

  1. Sluga M, Ummenhofer W, Studer W, Siegemund M, Marsch SC. Rocuronium versus succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation: a prospective, randomized trial in emergent cases. Anesth Analg 2005; 101:1356 – 61.
  1. McCourt KC, Salmela L, Mirakhur RK, et al. Comparison of rocuronium and suxamethonium for use during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia 1998;53:867–71.
  1. Laurin EG, Sakles JC, Panacek EA, Rantapaa AA, Redd J. A comparison of succinylcholine and rocuronium for rapid-sequence intubation of emergency department patients. Acad Emerg Med 2000;7:1362–9.
  1. Herbstritt A. BET 3: Is rocuronium as effective as succinylcholine at facilitating laryngoscopy during rapid sequence intubation. Emerg Med J 2012; 29(3): 256-9.
  1. Taha SK et al. Effect of suxamethonium vs rocuronium on onset of oxygen desaturation during apnoea following rapid sequence induction. Anaesthesia 2010; 65: 358-61.
  1. Tang L et al. Desaturation following rapid sequence induction using succinylcholine vs. rocuronium in overweight patients. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2011; 55: 203-8.

2 Comments

  • anthony ferkich says:

    While I agree with most of the criticisms of succinylcholine, in my 23 years of practice in busy centers, I have never had a problem with the drug. Since the arrival of Rocuronium, I have been diligent about incorporating its use in my practice. Despite the published literature, my partners and I all agree that Succinylcholine produces good intubating conditions much FASTER than Rocuronium—even with the higher dose 1.6 mg/kg. Not 5 seconds but on the order of 15-30 seconds (our anecdotal experience).
    I don’t use succinylchomine during cases of obvious contraindication. I always use Rocuronium if I suspect a difficult airway.
    If I need to intubate someone FAST where I may have only one attempt or I know they are going to desaturate quickly, I am convinced Succinylcholine is the superior drug. if the airway is more difficult than anticipated, its easy to add a dose of Rocuronium on top.

    I will review the articles you cite regarding the relative desaturation rates between the two drugs.

  • Anand Swaminathan, MD says:

    Anthony – appreciate your thoughts and literature is not a substitute for clinical experience. I haven’t had the issues you’ve had with time of onset and the best literature defends rapid onset with high-dose rocuronium. I think your approach is reasonable and the most important thing you said (in my opinion) is that you always use rocuronium in difficult airways.
    While I agree that it’s easy to add a dose of rocuronium, occasionally, I see issues with nursing scrambling to get meds and with pyxis etc, there’s always a delay.

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