Suxamethonium (succinylcholine) is a fast-acting depolarising muscle relaxant commonly used to facilitate tracheal intubation (as an adjunct to general anaesthesia). Following administration by single intravenous injection, neuromuscular blockade develops in ~1 minute and within 2-10 minutes the patient recovers. However, 1 in 3000 patients develops Suxamethonium Apnoea following administration. Please explain the phenomenon of Suxamethonium Apnoea and the underlying cause of it. (10 marks)
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Suxamethonium is a depolarizing muscle relaxant that acts by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. This binding causes a prolonged depolarization of the muscle, leading to muscle paralysis. Show more…
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