Can we see fade? A survey of anesthesia providers and our ability to detect partial neuromuscular block in dogs

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the ability to visually detect fade during train-of-four (TOF) or double burst stimulation (DBS) in anesthetized dogs recovering from nondepolarizing neuromuscular block. Study designOnline anonymous survey. PopulationData from 112 participants. MethodsA web-based survey containing 12 videos of the response to ulnar nerve stimulation with TOF and 12 with DBS obtained at different levels of recovery from rocuronium-induced block was distributed to participants of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia e-mail lists. Participants were asked to provide their highest training degree in anesthesiology, watch each video no more than twice, and determine whether fade was present. The probability to correctly recognize fade was calculated using binomial general linear models. General linear models and Tukey’s tests were used to assess the effects of level of neuromuscular block, pattern of stimulation, and observers’ training on the probability to detect fade. ResultsThe survey was completed by 53 diplomates, 29 licensed veterinary technicians, 24 residents and six doctors of veterinary medicine (DVMs). The probability to detect fade decreased as partial neuromuscular block became more shallow (p < 0.0001). A TOF or DBS ratio of 0.7 had a 50% chance of being detected. DBS was superior to TOF for detecting fade when the ratio was 0.3–0.69. TOF was superior to DBS when the ratio was 0.7–0.9 (p < 0.0001). There were no differences among groups of observers when assessing fade with TOF or DBS. Conclusions and clinical relevanceDetection of fade from observations of the response to TOF in dogs is unreliable. Advance training in anesthesiology or the use of DBS confers little to no advantage for this subjective test.