The Effects of Succinylcholine and d‐Tubocurarine on Oxygen Consumption

In dogs anesthetized with halothane and main tamed at 37 C, continuous intravenous infusion of succinylcholine (SCh) in paralyzing amounts produced an increase in whole-body O2 consumption (Vo3). The increase peaked during the first hour and diminished thereafter. Simultaneous measurements of the O2 consumption of the gastrocnemius– plantaris muscle group and total Vo2 during SCh administration supported the presumption that the increase in total Vo2 reflected primarily a generalized increase in the Vo2 of skeletal muscle. D-Tubocurarine alone did not affect Vo2 but modified the response of Vo2 to SCh.