Pancuronium prevents pneumothoraces in ventilated premature babies who actively expire against positive pressure inflation

Lancet. 1984 Jan 7;1(8367):1-3. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(84)90177-6.

Abstract

Preterm infants who were making expiratory efforts against ventilator inflation were randomised to be paralysed with pancuronium or to receive no paralysing agent during ventilation. Pneumothoraces developed in all 11 unparalysed babies but in only 1 of 11 (p less than 0.0004) of those managed with pancuronium, which had no serious side-effects. In 34 infants excluded from the trial because they were not breathing against the ventilator, no pneumothoraces developed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Intubation, Intratracheal
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Pancuronium / pharmacology
  • Pancuronium / therapeutic use*
  • Pneumothorax / prevention & control*
  • Random Allocation
  • Respiration*
  • Respiration, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / therapy
  • Tidal Volume

Substances

  • Pancuronium