Muscle relaxants in renal disease*

The use of neuromuscular blocking drugs during anaesthesia for patients with chronic renal failure is discussed. The disadvantages of the older non-depolarizing agents, such as tubocurarine, alcuronium, and pancuronium are outlined, as are the significant benefits of the use of atracurium or vecuronium in these patients. Preliminary reports on the new non-depolarizing drugs, pipecuronium, mivacurium, doxacurium, and rocuronium are also noted.