Aminosteroidal and benzylisoquinoline neuromuscular blocking agents are used in the intensive care unit to facilitate mechanical ventilation. The use of these agents has been associated with development of critical illness myopathy; however, the relative frequency of myopathy development among agents is not known. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of 24 h infusion of rocuronium or cisatracurium on the diaphragm in mechanically ventilated rats.
Respiratory Muscle Research Unit, Laboratory of Pneumology and Respiratory Division, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, O&N 1, bus 706, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
