Sugammadex and Heart Failure

After the induction of anaesthesia, monitoring neuromuscular function is initiated and performed continuously using the TOF-Watch SX (Organon Ireland Ltd, Ireland) at the thumb. Repetitive train-of four (TOF) stimulation is applied every 15 s at the ulnar nerve until the end of anaesthesia, at least until recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 after administration of sugammadex. Each patient receives a single IV bolus dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1, after which tracheal intubation is performed. Maintenance doses of rocuronium 0.1 mg kg-1, are permitted as required and administered at the reappearance of the second twitch in the TOF. On reappearance of the second twitch at the end of surgery, patients receive a single IV bolus dose of sugammadex, 2.0 mg kg-1, for reversal.