Sugammadex Efficacy and Dosing for Rocuronium Reversal Outside of Perioperative Settings

Background: Sugammadex is approved for postoperative recovery from rocuronium neuromuscular blockade with train-of-four (TOF) guided dosing. Data for non-perioperative sugammadex efficacy and dosing are limited when TOF is not available and reversal is not immediate. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and dose of sugammadex when administered in the emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU) for delayed rocuronium reversal when TOF guidance was not consistently available. Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study included patients over a 6-year period who received sugammadex in the ED or ICU at least 30 minutes after rocuronium administration for rapid sequence intubation (RSI). Patients who received sugammadex for intra-operative neuromuscular blockade reversal were excluded. Efficacy was defined as successful reversal documented in progress notes, TOF assessment, or improvement in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Dose was evaluated in patients with successful reversal by correlating sugammadex and rocuronium dose with reversal time after paralysis. Results: Thirty-four patients were included with 19 (55.9%) patients receiving sugammadex in the ED. Sugammadex indication was acute neurologic assessment in 31 (91.1%) patients. Twenty-nine patients (85.2%) had successful reversal documented. The remaining 5 patients had fatal neurologic injuries with GCS 3 limiting non-TOF efficacy assessment. The median (IQR) sugammadex dose was 3.4 (2.5-4.1) mg/kg administered 89 (56.3-158) minutes after rocuronium. No correlation was identified between sugammadex dose, rocuronium dose, and administration time. No adverse events were noted. Conclusion: This pilot investigation demonstrated safe and effective rocuronium reversal with sugammadex 3 to 4 mg/kg administered in the non-operative setting 1 to 2 hours after RSI. Larger, prospective studies are necessary to determine the safety in patients outside of the operating room when TOF is not available.