Succinylcholine vs rocuronium for intubation in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Rapid sequence induction (RSI) of anaesthesia followed by tracheal intubation is the gold standard technique for securing the airway during emergency care. This was originally developed for the operating theatre, but has been used successfully in the emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU). Succinylcholine has been the muscle relaxant of choice owing to its rapid onset and short durationof action, but side effects have led to suggestions that its use in the ICU is now obsolete (Reynolds and Heffner, 2005). This article examines the evidence for this and compares it with the main alternative, rocuronium.