Neuromuscular Blockade:

- Facilitates intubation

- Facilitates better surgical conditions

- Facilitates mechanical ventilation (i.e. ARDS, hyperventilating in increased ICP)

Two Categories: 

- Depolarizing: ex. Succinylcholine (1-1.5mg/kg IV) depolarizes the muscle and prevents repolarization.

- Non-depolarizing: ex. Rocuronium (0.6-1.2mg/kg IV) Outcompetes ACh for the receptor on the endplate.

Big thanks to Suzanne George MD 2022 Candidate from the University of Calgary for editing the episode script!

References:

1.  Butterworth J, Mackey D, Wasnick J. Morgan & Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology. 5th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2013.

2.  https://www.openanesthesia.org/aba_phase_ii_depolarizing_blockade/

3.  Zhang Z, Guo Q, Wang E. Hyperventilation in neurological patients: from physiology to outcome evidence. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2019;32(5):568-573. doi:10.1097/ACO.0000000000000764