A DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON OF VECURONIUM ADMINISTERED BY THE SPRINGFUSOR(R) INFUSION DEVICE TO VECURONIUM BY INTERMITTENT BOLUS INJECTION IN CRITICALLY ILL ADULT PATIENTS

To evaluate the Springfusor(R) infusion device for clinical use in an Intensive Care Unit and to compare the technique of intermittent bolus and constant infusion of muscle relaxants, we undertook a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Twenty critically ill ventilated patients requiring muscle paralysis were investigated. Although we could show no clinical advantage in infusing vecuronium, the Springfusor(R) provided a more constant level of paralysis compared with hourly bolus doses. The device is robust, easy to use and reduces nursing workload. This may translate into cost-saving improvement in patient care if the Springfusor(R) is used to provide muscle relaxation, sedation and analgesia.