Residual Neuromuscular Block in HIV-Infected Young Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract Objectives: Avoidance of residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) is crucial to decrease anesthesia-related pulmonary complications. At present, no data are available for HIV-infected patients about the occurrence of RNMB. In this trial, we aim to investigate the incidence of RNMB in such patients. Methods: Data were prospectively collected on 45 normal and 45 HIV-infected patients (18-65 yr). The train-of-four stimulation (TOF-Watch SX) was used to evaluate the level of neuromuscular block from the induction of anesthesia to back to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) by an assessor, but blind to the anesthesiologist. Primary endpoint was the presence of RNMB at PACU admission, defined as a train-of-four (TOF) ratio < 0.9. The onset time (from application of cisatracurium to maximum depression of T1), no reaction time (from zero of T1 to non-zero), and clinical duration (from application to 25% recovery of T1) were determined for each patient. Results: The incidence of RNMB was 37.5% in HIV- infected patients and 32.5% in normal patients (difference, 5%; 99% CI, −16% to 26 1%; p=0.815). The onset time was no different between two groups (4.05±0.88 min in HIV-infected group vs. 3.85±1.08 min in normal group (p=0.37)). The no reaction time was also similarly between two groups ( 49.83±3.81min in HIV-infected group vs. 48.98±5.12min in normal group (p=0.40)). The clinical duration was 53.78±3.05 min and 52.40±5.02 min in HIV-infected group and normal group, respectively (p=0.14). Conclusion: The odds of RNMB were not significantly different in HIV-infected young patients compared to normal persons.