[Comparison of the effects of midazolam and thiopental on the neuromuscular response of vecuronium, atracurium, and pancuronium].

To assess the possible interactions of midazolam and thiopental with the muscular relaxants vecuronium (0.08 mg/kg), atracurium (0.5 mg/kg), and pancuronium (0.1 mg/kg), a comparative analysis was undertaken in two groups of 18 and 32 patients treated respectively with midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) and thiopental (5 mg/kg). The beginning of the effect, maximal blockade, duration of the clinical response, and the spontaneous recovery index were measured on electromyographic recordings of action potentials evoked by train of four supramaximal stimuli delivered every 20 sec on the ulnar nerve. Conditions for intubation were assessed 2 minutes after administration of muscular relaxant. There were no significant differences in neuromuscular parameters in either of the two groups of patients treated with midazolam or with thiopental independently of the relaxant drug administered.