lowing reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Even if recovery from neuromuscular blockade is complete, other medicinal products used in the peri- and postoperative period could depress respiratory function and therefore ventilatory support might still be required.
Should neuromuscular blockade reoccur following extubation, adequate ventilation should be provided.
Recurrence of neuromuscular blockade:
In clinical trials recurrence of neuromuscular blockade was reported mainly when sub-optimal doses (in dose finding studies) were administered. In order to prevent recurrence of neuromuscular blockade, the recommended doses for routine or immediate reversal (see section 4.2) should be used.
Effect on haemostasis:
In a study in volunteers doses of 4 mg/kg and 16 mg/kg of sugammadex resulted in maximum mean prolongations of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) by 17 and 22% respectively and prothrombin time international normalized ratio [PT(INR)] by 11 and 22% respectively. These limited mean aPTT and PT(INR) prolongations were of short duration (≤ 30 minutes). Based on the clinical data-base (n=1738) and on a specific study in 1184 patients undergoing hip fracture/major joint replacement surgery there was no clinically relevant effect of sugammadex 4 mg/kg alone or in combination with anticoagulants on the incidence of peri- or post-operative bleeding complications.
In in vitro experiments a pharmacodynamic interaction (aPTT and PT prolongation) was noted with vitamin K antagonists, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparinoids, rivaroxaban and dabigatran. In patients receiving routine post-operative prophylactic anticoagulation this pharmacodynamic interaction is not clinically relevant. Caution should be exercised when considering the use of sugammadex in patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation for a pre-existing or co-morbid condition.
An increased risk of bleeding can-not be excluded in patients:
• with hereditary vitamin K dependent clotting factor deficiencies;
• with pre-existing coagulopathies;
• on coumarin derivates and at an INR above 3.5;
• using anticoagulants who receive a dose of 16 mg/kg sugammadex.
If there is a medical need to give sugammadex to these patients the anaesthesiologist needs to decide if the benefits outweigh the possible risk of bleeding complications taking into consideration the patients history of bleeding episodes and type of surgery scheduled. If sugammadex is administered to these patients monitoring of haemostasis and coagulation parameters is recommended.
Waiting times for re-administration with neuromuscular blocking agents after reversal with sugammadex:
Re-administration of rocuronium or vecuronium after routine reversal (up to 4 mg/kg sugammadex):
The onset of neuromuscular blockade may be prolonged up to approximately 4 minutes, and the duration of neuromuscular blockade may be shortened up to approximately 15 minutes after re-administration of rocuronium 1.2 mg/kg (or 0.6 mg/kg).
Based on PK modeling the recommended waiting time in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment for re-use of 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium or 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium after routine reversal with sugammadex should be 24 hours. If a shorter waiting time is required, the rocuronium dose for a new neuromuscular blockade should be 1.2 mg/kg.
Re-administration of rocuronium or vecuronium after immediate reversal (16 mg/kg sugammade |
