Sugammadex for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade during alfaxalone anesthesia in dogs

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the reversal effect of sugammadex on neuromuscular blockade induced by a single bolus of rocuronium in dogs under alfaxalone anesthesia. Study designRandomized, prospective, crossover experimental study. AnimalsA group of six adult Beagle dogs (three females and three males), weighing 11.3–15.8 kg and aged 6–8 years, were used. MethodsDogs were anesthetized twice with a 1.25 times minimum infusion rate of alfaxalone, with a washout period of at least 14 days between experiments. Neuromuscular function was monitored using acceleromyography with train-of-four (TOF) stimulation of the peroneal nerve. After recording the control TOF ratio (TOFRC), rocuronium (0.5 mg kg–1) was administered intravenously. Subsequently, sugammadex (4 mg kg–1) or an equal volume of saline (control treatment) was administered intravenously when the TOF count returned from 0 to 1 after neuromuscular blockade. Time from rocuronium injection to TOF count = 0 (onset time), time from TOF count = 0 to TOF count = 1 (maximum blockade period), time of first twitch amplitude recovery from 0.25 to 0.75 (recovery index), and time from sugammadex or saline administration to TOF ratio/TOFRC ≥ 0.9 (recovery time) were recorded. ResultsThe onset time and maximum blockade duration did not differ between sugammadex treatment [1.2 (0.7–1.5) minutes and 9.9 (6.3–10.5) minutes, respectively] and control treatment [median (range); 1.0 (0.7–1.1) minutes and 9.9 (8.8–11.5) minutes, respectively] (p = 0.219 and 0.844, respectively). Recovery index was 0.5 (0.3–0.7) minutes in sugammadex treatment, which was shorter than that in control treatment [4.5 (3.7–4.9) minutes] (p = 0.031). Recovery time was 0.8 (0.5–2.8) minutes in sugammadex treatment, which was shorter than that in control treatment [10.5 (6.8–14.3) minutes] (p = 0.031). Conclusions and clinical relevanceRocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade was effectively reversed by sugammadex in dogs anesthetized with alfaxalone.