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Cardiology Research

Case Report

Volume 9, Number 1, February 2018, pages 50-52

Use of Sugammadex in a Patient With Myotonic Dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder of the sarcolemma with an incidence of 3 - 5/100,000 that was first reported by Steinert in 1909 [1]. As the primary defect lies in the muscle membrane (sarcolemma) distal to the neuromuscular junction, abnormal responses to both depolarizing and non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents may impact perioperative care [2, 3]. Reversal of neuromuscular blockade with agents that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (neostigmine) may precipitate myotonia, and is therefore relatively contraindicated [4, 5].

Sugammadex (Bridion^®, Merck & Co., Whithouse Stations, NJ) is a novel pharmacologic agent, which was approved for clinical use in December 2015 by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). It reverses neuromuscular blockade with a mechanism that differs completely from acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, by encapsulating rocuronium or vecuronium. Thereby, sugammadex may provide complete recovery even when there is significant residual neuromuscular blockade [6]. We report anecdotal experience with the use of sugammadex to reverse neuromuscular blockade in a patient with DM. Perioperative concerns regarding the use and reversal of neuromuscular blockade in patients with DM are presented, previous reports regarding the use of sugammadex in similar clinical scenarios are reviewed, and its potential advantages in this clinical scenario are discussed.

Institutional Board Review is not required at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH) for the presentation of a single case report.

The patient was a 25-year-old, 51.6 kg male, who was admitted for cardiothoracic surgery (Bentall procedure including composite graft replacement of the aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aorta, with re-implantation of the coronary arteries into the graft). He had a history of progressive aortic valve insufficiency due to bicuspid aortic valve and ascending aortic aneurysm. He was known to have DM type 1 (Steinert disease). Clinical examination revealed symmetrical facial weakness, ptosis with temporal balding and wasting. There was upper and lower limb muscle weakness. His family history was positive for other members with DM. Preoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a sinus rhythm with a heart rate of 54 beats per minute (bpm), an intraventricular conduction delay, left ventricular hypertrophy, and early repolarization. Echocardiogram showed an abnormal bicuspid aortic valve, moderate aortic stenosis and regurgitation, severe aortic root and ascending aorta dilation, moderate-to-severe left ventricular enlargement, and qualitatively normal left ventricular systolic function. Laboratory evaluations, including complete blood count, electrolytes, renal function, and coagulation profile, were within normal limits. His current medications included cholecalciferol. The patient was held nil per os (NPO) for 6 h and transported to the operating room where American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) monitors were placed. A peripheral intravenous catheter was placed and a rapid sequence induction (RSI) with endotracheal intubation was carried out with the following medications: midazolam (2 mg), fentanyl (100 µg), etomidate (10 mg), propofol (30 mg), rocuronium (50 mg), and lidocaine (60 mg). Endotracheal intubation proceeded without difficulty. Maintenance anesthesia was provided with desflurane, dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg/h), and intravenous fentanyl. Bilateral paravertebral blocks (total of 40 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine) were placed using ultrasound guidance for postoperative analgesia. A central venous catheter and a radial arterial line were placed. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 3 h 10 min with an aortic cross-clamp time of approximately 2 h. The patient weaned from CPB with epinephrine and milrinone infusions. The patient received a total of 110 mg of rocuronium during the surgery. After completion of the procedure, neuromuscular blockade was reversed with sugammadex (4 mg/kg). After return of appropriate strength and spontaneous ventilation, his trachea was extubated when he was awake in the operating room. He was transferred to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit in stable condition and his postoperative course was unremarkable.

Five weeks later, the patient returned for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardioversion due to atrial flutter with depressed myocardial function. His current medications included coumadin (2 mg PO every evening), enalapril 5 mg BID, and cholecalciferol. He was held NPO for 6 h and was transported to the cardiac procedure room where routine ASA monitors were placed. RSI with endotracheal intubation was performed with the following medications: etomidate (16 mg), fentanyl (25 µg), and rocuronium (50 mg). His trachea was intubated without difficulty and maintenance anesthesia provided with desflurane. TEE was performed, followed by electrical cardioversion, which resulted in a return to normal sinus rhythm. Forty-three minutes after the single dose of rocuronium, sugammadex (4 mg/kg) was administered. Within 10 min, he had return of baseline neuromuscular function and when awake, his trachea was extubated. His postoperative course was unremarkable.

Increased perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with DM may be related to respiratory failure, upper airway obstruction with sleep disordered breathing, cardiac failure or arrhythmias, and aspiration related to gastrointestinal involvement. Furthermore, patients with DM have been shown to have an increased risk for perioperative respiratory insufficiency and failure, related to an increased sensitivity to opioids, benzodiazepines, and the inhalational anesthetic agents. Given the associated muscle weakness and the potential for exacerbation of myotonia, the choice of neuromuscular blocking agent and agents for reversal may significantly impact the perioperative course. The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation has provided recommendations for the anesthetic management of patients with DM, including the avoidance of succinylcholine and neostigmine.

With the potential for the aspiration of stomach contents, RSI may be indicated, necessitating the use of an agent that provides the rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade [7]. As noted above, succinylcholine is contraindicated given its potential to exacerbate myotonia causing rigidity. This necessitates the use of non-depolarizing agents, such as rocuronium, which have significantly longer duration of action. Furthermore, baseline muscle weakness potentially leads to increased sensitivity to non-depolarizing agents, with a higher incidence of prolonged residual neuromuscular blockade [4, 8, 9]. Prolonged or residual neuromuscular blockade affects upper airway control and respiratory function, thereby impacting the postoperative course. These issues are compounded by the fact that reversal with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can potentiate myotonia and is therefore contraindicated. As such, postoperative endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required.

Given its novel mechanism of action, sugammadex provides a means of reversing neuromuscular blockade in patients with DM without exacerbating myotonia. Its mechanism of action allows for complete reversal of neuromuscular blockade with limited change of residual motor weakness [6]. Following both procedures in our patient, sugammadex (4 mg/kg) effectively reversed neuromuscular blockade and allowed for early tracheal extubation. Additional anecdotal reports from the literature have demonstrated the potential utility of sugammadex in similar clinical scenarios in patients with DM (Table 1) [10-16].

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Table 1. Previous Reports of Sugammadex Use in Patients With Myotonic Dystrophy

These case reports, along with the experience in the two anesthetics for our patient, demonstrate the utility of sugammadex in this challenging patient population. In these scenarios, including those with a neuromuscular or myopathic disease process, sugammadex appears promising for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Its unique mechanism of action offers several potential benefits over cholinesterase inhibitors such as neostigmine. It may be useful in scenarios such as DM where cholinesterase inhibitors are contraindicated, when there is intense residual neuromuscular blockade, or in patients with underlying weakness or hypotonia when residual neuromuscular blockade may be particularly detrimental.

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