PLATELET SEROTONIN IS A MEDIATOR POTENTIALLY INVOLVED IN ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION TO NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING DRUGS

A platelet serotonin release test was performed on blood from10 patients who had suffered from an IgE-dependent allergicreaction to a neuromuscular blocking drug. The results werecompared with those of a leukocyte histamine release test. Theupper limit of serotonin release induced by neuromuscular blockerswas estimated to be 2.3% in non-allergic patients. The testwas positive in six patients and was consistent with histaminerelease in five. Serotonin re/ease induced by neuromuscularblockers comprised 2.9–25% of total platelet serotonincontent. We conclude that serotonin is one of the mediatorsassociated with histamine release during anaphylaxis to neuromuscularblockers. Platelet serotonin release tests may be useful forthe investigation of anaphylactic responses to neuromuscularblocking drugs. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1993; 70: 322–325)