Status
Published
Video
Video
Ready to Publish
Ready to Publish
Publish Date
Jul 15, 2022
Target
Long Form
Blog Ideas
Design
Drafted
Graphics
Graphics
Type
Guest Author
Video Recording
Introduction: In 1970, Ali et al. developed and published the technique of Train of Four (TOF) monitoring (Ali HH, 1970). TOF pattern was developed for assessing neuromuscular block in the anesthetized patient. TOF was developed as a stimulation pattern that did not require a comparison to a control response before administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent. It was done by stimulating the ulnar nerve with a TOF supra-maximal twitch stimuli:
- Frequency = 2 Hertz (Hz) for two seconds.
- Comparing T1 (1st twitch) to T0 (control)
- Comparing T4 (4th twitch of the TOF) to T1 (known as the TOF ratio).
All patients who receive any neuromuscular blocking agents should be monitored for neuromuscular function during the surgeries. Face muscles are the first ones to get paralyzed by muscle relaxants because they have a better vascular supply followed by hands and feet. Face muscles are the first ones to get four twitches back because of higher venous drainage as compared to hands and feet. Feet muscles are the last ones to get paralyzed by muscle relaxants & the last ones to get four twitches back (Gavrancic, Lolis, & Beric, 2014).
Physiology: Acetylcholine (Ach) is synthesized from Choline and Acetate and is stored in vesicles at motor endplates. Nerve impulse ends with Ach release into the cleft from these vesicles. Ach is then metabolized by Cholinesterase within milliseconds.
Muscle Relaxants: There are two types of muscle relaxants:
A. Depolarizers (DMR): Succinylcholine is a depolarizing muscle relaxant ((DMR) with two Ach molecules acting like Ach at the post-synaptic receptor.
Characteristics:
- Phase I block: Decreases Single twitch, No fade (decrease but sustained response) to continuous stimulus, TOF ratio greater than 0.7, potentiation on anticholinesterase drugs, cause fasciculation.
- Phase II block: Resembles non-depolarizer blockade.
Figure 1. Depolarizing Muscle Relaxant (DMR) exhibit no fade on the Train of Four (TOF) test.
Non-Depolarizers (NDMR): Curare, Pancuronium, Vecuronium, Rocuronium, Atracurium, Cis-Atracurium, Mivacurium, etc.
Characteristics: An NDMR is a competitive antagonist that blocks conduction by acting on the alpha subunit. decrease twitch response to a single stimulus. NDMR produces fade (unstained response) to continuous stimulus. For NDMR the TOF ratio is less than 0.7 (T4 is less than 70% amplitude of T1). It causes post-tetanic facilitation, potentiation by other non-depolarizers, and antagonism by anticholinesterase drugs.A typical pattern is observed when a non-depolarizing agent is administered. The amplitude of the evoked responses is reduced, with T4 affected first, followed by T3, T2, and finally T1. This decrease in twitch height is referred to as FADE. T4 disappears as the non-depolarizing block becomes stronger, followed by T3, T2, and finally T1. During recovery from a non-depolarizing block, T1 appears first, followed by T2, T3, and finally T4.
Figure 2. Non-Depolarizing Muscle Relaxant (NDMR) exhibits fade on the Train of Four (TOF) test. This image presents a fade in TOF responses.
Why give muscle relaxation?
- For adequate intubation
- For adequate surgical exposure
- To improve mechanical ventilation
Why monitor Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ)?
- Due to variable individual responses to muscle relaxants.
- Because of the narrow therapeutic window.
- There is no detectable block until 65 to 75% of receptors are occupied.
- Paralysis is complete at 90 to 95% receptor occupancy.
- Therefore, adequate muscle relaxation corresponds to a narrow range of 85 to 90% receptor occupancy.
Clinical application (level of muscle relaxation):
- Surgical Relaxation at >90%
- Intubation facilitated at 95%
- Total Flaccidity at 99%
Figure 3. Train of Four (TOF) Interpretation: A presence of 4th twitch = 0-5% paralysis, 3rd twitch = 65-75% paralysis, 2nd twitch = 85% paralysis, 1st twitch = 95% paralysis, 0 twitch = 100% paralysis.
Objective:
- Post-operative muscle relaxant occurs even with intermediate-acting NDMR agents.
- Satisfactory recovery has not occurred from NMB until the TOF ratio is >0.9.
- Onset and recovery from NMB occur at different rates in different muscles.
- Intraoperative TOF monitoring is needed from appropriate muscles to make sure the EMG monitoring is reliable.
Patient Setup for TOF:
Types of NM stimulators:
- Single Twitch
- Tetanic Stimulation
- Train of Four Stimulation
- Always setup the most distal muscle,
- Make sure your stimulation and recording setup is correct.
- If you are not getting TOF from one side, try the contralateral side.
- TOF should be done throughout the surgical procedure.
- Keep the intensity to a minimum.
Figure 4. Train of Four (TOF) setup: Stimulation and recording sites with stimulation and recording parameters (Jahangiri, Faisal R, 2012, Surgical Neurophysiology,2nd Edition).
Figure 5. Train of Four (TOF): Left: data showing all four twitches present. Right: TOF representation in the histogram view.
Factors affecting TOF:
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Corticosteroids
- Diuretics (furosemide and thiazides)
- Carbamazepine
- Enflurane and Isoflurane (inhalants)
- Antibiotics (Amikacin, Clindamycin, Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Piperacillin, A, B and E, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, and Tobramycin)
- Anti-arrhythmic medications (Bretyllium, Lidocaine, Propranolol, Quinidine)
- Electrolyte and thermal disorders (Hypokalemia, Hypocalcemia, Hypomagnesaemia, Hyponatremia, Hypothermia, Acidosis)
- Organ Failure (renal and hepatic)
- Neuromuscular diseases (Myasthenia Gravis, Bell’s Palsy)
Figure 6. Train of Four (TOF) Stack: Data showing all four twitches present in stack format ranging from 35 mA (top) to 100 mA (bottom).
Why do we need to do TOF the correct way?Train of Four stimulation is a widely underestimated technique. A correct interpretation of the TOF responses is critical for any procedure with EMG or MEP recordings. One of the main reasons for the errors is that we can have 4/4 twitches with 0-75% muscle paralysis. Once we have 3/4 twitches we already have 65-75% of muscle paralyzed. Therefore TOF should always be performed in the most distal muscle independent of the level of surgery.Ali et al report the mechanical twitch response should be elicited by nerve stimulation. The current is adjusted 10-20 percent above that visible twitch that is required for a maximal response. The current which generatesa response through all nerve fibers and hence a maximal muscle contraction is termed a maximal stimulus. Traditionally, a current of 25% above the maximal stimulus is applied when stimulating a peripheral nerve: this istermed a supramaximal stimulus (McGrath et al 2006).Interpreting the responses correctly to avoid false-negative:
- Pedicle screw stimulation threshold
- Peripheral nerve stimulation threshold
- Cranial nerve stimulation threshold
- MEP stimulation threshold & interpretation
- Cortical Mapping stimulation threshold
- Dorsal Root Rhizotomy (SDR) stimulation threshold
Figure 7. Train of Four (TOF) data comparison for TOF at 25 mA versus TOF at 75 mA.
References
- Ali HH, U. J. (1970, Nov). Stimulus frequency in the detection of neuromuscular block in humans. Br J Anaesth, 42(11), 967-78. Retrieved Sep 07, 2018, from https://bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(17)50404-3/pdf
- Conor D McGrath, BSc(Hons) MB ChB FRCA, Jennifer M Hunter, MB ChB PHD FRCA, Monitoring of neuromuscular block, Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, Volume 6, Issue 1, February 2006, Pages 7–12. doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mki067
- Gavrancic, B., Lolis, A., & Beric, A. (2014, Dec). Train-of-four test in intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring: differences between hand and foot train-of-four. Clin Neurophysiol, 31(6), 575-9. doi:10.1097/WNP.0000000000000111
- Jahangiri, F. R. (2012, Apr)). Surgical Neurophysiology 2nd Edition: A Reference Guide to Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (2nd ed.). Charleston, SC: CreateSpace Independent Publishing.
