[Prolonged neuromuscular block after mivacurium injection].

Mivacurium, a new short acting non depolarizing neuromuscular blocker, is metabolized, as suxamethonium, by plasma cholinesterase. Therefore its duration of action is increased in patients with reduced plasma cholinesterase activity. We report a case of prolonged neuromuscular block after an i.v. bolus of mivacurium (0.20 mg.kg-1) in a 69 year-old ASA II woman with an unrecognized cholinesterase deficiency undergoing a lumbar sympathectomy for arteriopathy of the lower limbs. The duration of the block was 6 h and plasma cholinesterase concentrations were very low (540 and 610 UI.L-1), as well as the dibucaine number (16%), which suggests an homozygous enzymatic deficiency. Mechanical ventilation and sedation were continued until spontaneous return of full neuromuscular function.