Muravchick S, Owens W D, Felts J A
Can Anaesth Soc J. 1979 Jan;26(1):22-5. doi: 10.1007/BF03039448.
The increase in cardiac muscarinic activity following injection of anticholinesterases can be minimized by the long-acting anticholinergic drug glycopyrrolate. In a series of 50 patients 65 years of age or older who had received glycopyrrolate (0.88 +/- 0.15 mg) mixed with neostigmine (4.40 +/- 0.66 mg) or pyridostigmine (17.46 +/- 2.92 mg) to antagonize neuromuscular blockade, the incidence of new postoperative cardiac dysrhythmias was 16 per cent. All dysrhythmias occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. There was no statistically significant relationship between the incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias and the choice of anaesthetic technique or anticholinesterase drug.