Dear physics9000-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting question.
In the mainstream medical world, Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) is a
non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent often used to assist in
tracheal intubations and mechanical ventilation therapy.
Non-depolarizing (meaning that transmission at the skeletal
neuromuscular junction is blocked without causing depolarization of
the motor end plate) neuromuscular blockers act by inhibiting
transmission of nerve impulses by binding with cholinergic receptor
sites, antagonizing action of acetylcholine. In layman?s terms,
Pancuronium bromide interferes with the neural transmission between
motor neurons and skeletal muscle. The end result is chemical induced
paralysis.
In medical terms, the EMS ACADEMY web site explains it this way:
?MECHANISM OF ACTIONS: Competes with acetylcholine for cholinergic
receptor sites on the post-junctional membrane. Results in paralysis
of muscle fibers served by the occupied neuromuscular junction. Does
not cause an initial depolarization wave as does succinylcholine.
Onset is 3-5 min and effect may persist for up to 60 min.?
http://www.alaskaems.org/student/academy/drug_P.htm
Potassium Chloride Potassium has a specific physiological effects of
the ion related primarily to the electrical excitability of cells.
Excessive potassium, like the lethal dosage administered in an
execution scenario, has a severe cardiac toxicity and produces
depression of the heart when an overabundance of these ions arrest the
electrical excitability of cardiac cells, causing, in effect, cardiac
arrest (sudden heart stoppage and rapid death).
Medically speaking, MEDICINENET.COM describes potassium chloride this way:
?DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Potassium chloride is in the class of drugs
called potassium supplements which are used to treat low potassium
conditions (hypokalemia) or prevent them from occurring. Potassium is
the principal positive ion inside of the cells of the body and is used
in nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and normal kidney function. A
deficiency of potassium causes weakness, fatigue, heart rhythm
problems, paralysis, and kidney dysfunction.?
http://www.medicinenet.com/potassium_chloride/article.htm
A intentional large dosage of potassium chloride like the type
administered during a lethal injection type execution rapidly brings
about a predictable reaction known as ?fatal hyperkalemia?. Since the
healthy, proportionate amount of potassium in the body normally helps
to regulate the activity of all muscle tissue, and overdose
progressively slows bradycardia and ventricular fibrillation until the
heart ceases to function entirely.
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Tutuzdad ? Google Answers Researcher
INFORMATION SOURCES
PANCURONIUM BROMIDE- PAVULON
http://pedspain.nursing.uiowa.edu/adjuvants/Pavultec.htm
HYPERDICTIONARY - NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENT
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/neuromuscular+blocking+agent
PHARMACOLOGY OF RSI
http://www.musc.edu/emergmed/RSI/rsi3.htm
MEDICAL DICTIONARY ONLINE
http://www.online-medical-dictionary.org/?q=Agents%2C+Neuromuscular+Nondepolarizing
EMS ADADEMY
http://www.alaskaems.org/student/academy/drug_P.htm
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION, STRONG 15% m/v INTRAMED
http://home.intekom.com/pharm/intramed/potchlor.html
WILIPEDIA - POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_chloride
MEDICINENET.COM
http://www.medicinenet.com/potassium_chloride/article.htm
PDR HEALTH
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/pot_0208.shtml
MEDLINEPLUS ? HYPERKALEMIA
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001179.htm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
NONDEPOLARIZING
NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENT
"PANCURONIUM BROMIDE" PARALYSIS
PAVULON MECHANISM
"POTASSIUM CHLORIDE " MECHANISM
"POTASSIUM CHLORIDE " OVERDOSE |
