Advantages of glycopyrrolate over atropine during reversal of pancuronium block

Abstract

Atropine 0.015 mg kg-1 and glycopyrrolate 0.0075 mg kg-1 were compared as antimuscarinic agents during reversal of pancuronium block with neostigmine 0.03 mg kg-1 in 30 patients anaesthetized with thiopental - N2O- fentanyl and undergoing minor surgery. The decrease of heart rate was more pronounced in patients who received atropine-neostigmine. The mean of the lowest heart rate was 44.3 beats min-1 in the atropine group compared with 54.3 beats min-1 in the glycopyrrolate group. Five patients with atropine-neostigmine developed a transient nodal rhythm as compared with two of those receiving glycopyrrole-neostigmine (non-significant difference). Recovery from anaesthesia, as assessed by the awakening after the discontinuation of N2O administration, was more rapid in patients given glycopyrrolate. In conclusion, glycopyrrolate seems to have advantages over atropine when used during reversal of pancuronium block with neostigmine.