Publication
Title
Allergy to rocuronium : from clinical suspicion to correct diagnosis
Author
Abstract
Background: Allergy to rocuronium can be life-threatening. Correct diagnosis is a prerequisite because of serious consequences of diagnostic error. Objective: To assess skin testing, quantification of specific IgE (sIgE) and flowassisted activation of basophils [basophil activation test (BAT)] in the diagnosis of rocuronium allergy. Methods: This study comprises 104 curarized patients with a history of profound hypotension and severe bronchospasm immediately after induction of anaesthesia. All patients had skin tests, quantification of sIgE and BAT to rocuronium, together with investigations for all relevant compounds administered during anaesthesia that could have evoked the reaction. Diagnosis of rocuronium allergy was considered definite when the patient demonstrated a positive outcome for at least two of the three aforementioned tests. Results: The positive predictive value for skin testing, BAT and sIgE was 98% (CI 95%: 9299%), 97% (CI 95%: 88100%) and 83% (CI 95%: 7489%), respectively. The negative predictive value for skin testing, BAT and sIgE was 96% (CI 95%: 8699%), 75% (CI 95%: 6775%) and 72% (CI 95%: 5883%), respectively. Cross-reactivity with vecuronium was documented in 69% of the patients. Conclusion: Skin testing merits the status of primary diagnostic investigation to document rocuronium allergy and cannot be substituted by quantification of sIgE or BAT. SIgE can offer a diagnostic advantage in cases where skin tests yield negative results. However, additional tests (e.g. BAT) are of capital importance in patients with negative skin tests and positive sIgE results to help in interpreting the clinical significance of a positive sIgE result.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Allergy: European journal of allergy and clinical immunology. - Copenhagen
Publication
Copenhagen : 2011
ISSN
0105-4538
DOI
10.1111/J.1398-9995.2011.02569.X
Volume/pages
66 :8 (2011) , p. 1014-1019
ISI
000292457700005
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 01.03.2011
Last edited 04.03.2024
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