This episode on succinylcholine will unravel the mysteries and controversies around the medication – from it’s molecular shape and how that influences which receptors subtypes and locations it exerts its effects on to practical information on dosing and how to optimize airway management while mitigating the side effects of succinylcholine. 

At the time of this recording in March of 2018, Michael was a second-year Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist at the University of Scranton and a student representative for the AANA Foundation.  He has since passed his boards as a CRNA and began his anesthesia practice in the greater Boston area. His background includes experience as a cardiac critical care Registered Nurse in Austin, Texas.   As part of his graduate studies, Michael completed an in-depth project regarding the history, latest research and controversies surrounding succinylcholine. Michael has presented on succinylcholine at state association conferences and went on to give a podium presentation at the 2018 AANA Annual Congress in Boston titled “Succinylcholine:  From Discovery to Current Evidence for Everyday Practice.” 

Resources:

Alvarellos, M. L., McDonagh, E. M., Patel, S., McLeod, H. L., Altman, R. B., & Klein, T. E. (2015). PharmGKB summary: succinylcholine pathway, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. Pharmacogenetics and genomics, 25(12), 622.

Barash, P. G. (Ed.). (2009). Clinical anesthesia. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Fukano, N., Suzuki, T., Ishikawa, K., Mizutani, H., Saeki, S., & Ogawa, S. (2011). A randomized trial to identify optimal precurarizing dose of rocuronium to avoid precurarization-induced neuromuscular block. Journal of anesthesia, 25(2), 200-204.

Lee, C. (2003). Conformation, action, and mechanism of action of neuromuscular blocking muscle relaxants. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 98(2), 143-169.

Nagelhout, J. J., & Plaus, K. L. (2014). Nurse anesthesia. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Miller, R. D. (2015). Miller’s anesthesia (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Schreiber, J. U., Lysakowski, C., Fuchs-Buder, T., & Tramer, M. R. (2005). Prevention of Succinylcholine-induced Fasciculation and MyalgiaA Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials. Anesthesiology: The Journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 103(4), 877-884.

Tran, D. T., Newton, E. K., Mount, V. A., Lee, J. S., Wells, G. A., & Perry, J. J. (2015). Rocuronium versus succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction intubation. The Cochrane Library.