COMPARISON OF ATROPINE AND GLYCOPYRROLATE IN A MIXTURE WITH PYRIDOSTIGMINE FOR THE ANTAGONISM OF NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCK

Neuromuscular block was antagonized using pyridostigmine 250µg kg^–1 in two groups of 50 patients; one groupreceived atropine 20µg kg^–1 and the other glycopyrrolate10 µg kg^–1 with the anticholinesterase drug. Atropinewas associated with a greater initial tachycardia than was glycopyrroUte.The subsequent bradycardia was also greater in this group, althoughthe decreases in heart rate were smaller than those generallyobserved following mixtures of atropine and neostigmine. Arrhythmiaswere transient and required no treatment in either group. Bettercontrol of secretions was achieved with glycopyrrolate.