Succinylcholine Versus Rocuronium for Emergency Intubation in Intensive Care
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Emergency intubation of patients in intensive care is a high-risk endeavour. For many
decades, succinylcholine has been the neuromuscular blocking agent of choice. However,
succinylcholine may have life-threatening side effects and is contraindicated in a variety of
diseases relevant in intensive care. The nondepolarizing agent rocuronium has been propagated
as alternative for succinylcholine. Though a recent meta-analysis found no difference in
intubating conditions between succinylcholine and rocuronium in elective cases, there are no
data in emergent cases in intensive care. The aim of the present study is to compare
succinylcholine and rocuronium with regard to 1) quality of intubating conditions, 2) length
of the intubating sequence, 3) failed intubating attempts, 4) hemodynamic sequelae of
intubation, and 5) desaturations.