Description:

Prolonged effect of Suxamethonium, which means a patient may reverse from anaesthesia, but remain paralysed. As the patient becomes aware, blood pressure and heart rate increase, the patient may sweat, and the pupils may dilate. A nerve stimulator can show whether the patient is still paralysed and, if so, the patient should be re-anaesthetised and ventilated. Caused by inability to metabolise Suxamethonium, due to insufficient Pseudocholinesterase in the blood.
Treatment: Anaesthetise and ventilate the patient; monitor for Train of four.