- Precautions: - because succinylcholine causes an increase in intra gastric pressure that may lead to gastric aspiration, crycothyroid pressure should be applied; - also causes increase in intraocular pressure and in relatively contra- indicated with injuries in an open globe; - increases
intracranial pressure; - Precautions w/ Spinal Cord Injury: - w/ possible
cervical spine injury, the Sellick maneuver should not be applied, and therefore, perhaps succinylcholine should not be used; - because denervated muscles have supersensivity to acetylcholine, manifests as sustained contractions and a massive release of potassium, succinyl- choline can precipitate
hyperkalemic crises and should be avoided in first 6 months; - sustained depolarization caused by succinylcholine causes ion channels ion channels to remain open producingn an elevation in serum K of of approx 0.5 mEq/l; - therefore, succinylcholine should be avoided w/ ARF, burns, or spinal cord injuries;
