The Safe Use of Sugammadex “Rescue” after Neostigmine: 2 Case Reports ()
1. Introduction
Although not considered the “usual” or “approved” use of sugammadex, it will likely be used quite commonly as a “rescue” for failed or incomplete reversal with neostigmine. Furthermore, the situation and patient population also expectedly will not be optimal or routine. In many cases, the endotracheal tube will have been removed followed by signs of an inadequate airway with airway obstruction and arterial oxygen desaturation. The patients also commonly will have limited reserve whether secondary to age, lung disease, obstructive sleep apnea or significant obesity.
The success and safety of the use of sugammadex after neostigmine have not been studied appropriately. De Menezes in 2012 published a case report about the utilization of sugammadex after neostigmine which described a successful recovery but did not delve into the stability of the hemodynamics [1]. Lenz described the utilization of sugammadex after neostigmine in another case report with successful recovery and stable hemodynamics [2]. There have also been studies performed looking at sugammadex in combination with neostigmine for reversal of neuromuscular blockade, but not after the rise in acetylcholine at the receptor site has already occurred due to acetylcholinesterase inhibition [3].
Because of the sparse data, there is a question as to the appropriateness of sugammadex reversal of rocuronium or vecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade after neostigmine reversal. Not only is there a concern of success in completing the reversal, but, also whether there is a potential negative effect of unopposed enhanced acetylcholine exposure at the nicotinic neuromuscular receptor and to a lesser extent at the muscarinic receptor in the heart. Herbstreit in 2010 demonstrated that neostigmine after spontaneous reversal can lead to clinical signs of re-paralysis [4]. It can therefore be assumed that unopposed acetylcholine after neostigmine and then rapid sugammadex reversal could lead to the same findings. Furthermore, it has been noted that sugammadex reversal of rocuronium blockade can lead to rare profound bradycardia which can logically be assumed to be related to unopposed acetylcholine effect at the cardiac muscarinic receptors.
2. Case Reports
Two patients are presented here that had surgical procedures at a free standing surgical center, both receiving sugammadex after incomplete reversal with neostigmine. Furthermore, both had diseases or morphologic features consistent with potential airway compromise. The first patient was a 46 year old 92 kilogram male (BMI 36 kg/m2) for endoscopic sinus surgery. His past medical history was significant for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea requiring continuous positive airway pressure at night. He was intubated using propofol 200 mg (2.2 mg/kg) IV and rocuronium 50 mg (0.5 mg/kg) IV without difficulty. The procedure lasted approximately 25 minutes, and using qualitative train-of-four (TOF) monitoring, two faint twitches were present. Neostigmine 4 mg IV and glycopyrrolate 0.8 mg IV were given at that time. Four twitches were present at 7 minutes after reversal and the patient was extubated. Within 3 minutes, obvious airway obstruction and upper extremity weakness were noted with an arterial oxygen saturation in the range of 85% to 88% with assisted mask ventilation. Sugammadex 200 mg (2.2 mg/kg) was given as a rapid IV bolus with complete resolution of the obstruction, and there were no signs of upper extremity weakness within two minutes after administration. The arterial oxygen saturation was maintained at >94% with a nasal cannula at four l/min. Hemodynamics were overall maintained with the heart rate decreasing from 93 beats/minutes prior to sugammadex to 79 beats/minute after, and the non-invasive blood pressure was 144/96 mmHg prior and 135/84 mmHg after. The slight changes in hemodynamics were assumed to be related to a decrease in patient stress with improved ventilation.
The second patient was a 38 year old 102 kilogram male (BMI 41 kg/m2) with a medical history significant for diabetes type 2 and hypertension. His AM blood glucose was 134 mg/dl and blood pressure was 128/71 mmHg. He underwent right knee arthroscopy with a failed laryngeal mask airway placement and urgent endotracheal intubation with propofol 200 mg (2.0 mg/kg) IV and rocuronium 50 mg (0.5 mg/kg) IV. The surgical procedure lasted 32 minutes. Neostigmine 3 mg IV and glycopyrrolate 0.6 mg IV were given with three twitches present using qualitative TOF monitoring. The patient was extubated 5 minutes after reversal with four twitches and a sustained tetanus present as well as a respiratory tidal volume greater than 800 ml. The patient began showing signs of airway obstruction with quick desaturation to 78% and tachypnea at 30 breaths/ minute. Sugammadex 200 mg (1.96 mg/kg) IV was given followed by a saline push with relief of obstruction within 1.5 minutes after administration. There was no significant change in heart rate when comparing prior and after sugammadex administration (103 beats/min and 98 beats/min respectively), and the non-invasive blood pressure decreased from 156/101 mmHg to 139/92 mmHg. Arterial oxygen saturation rose to 97% with a face mask in place with no postoperative complications noted.
Both patients were discharged from the facility within the usual timeframe without signs of continued airway compromise and stable hemodynamics. The first patient recalled a feeling of being “unable to breathe” which resolved prior to leaving the operating room, and both only described, via a phone call on post-operative day 1, a mild sore throat but no other anesthesia related concerns.
3. Conclusion
These case reports demonstrate the safe and successful use of sugammadex after neostigmine. Although more extensive studies should be done, this brings to light another situation where sugammadex could lead to improved patient safety and outcomes.