Retrospective cohort study by Patanwala and colleagues including 233 head injured patients that required RSI with either rocuronium or suxamethonium. The results reveal that sux was associated with increased mortality in the most severely injured subset, compared with roc. In patients with less severe injury there was no significant difference between the two NMBs.

Interesting findings that should merit further prospective investigation in the form of a multicenter RCT. Find the abstract via the link below:

Succinylcholine Is Associated with Increased Mortality When Used for Rapid Sequence Intubation of Severely Brain Injured Patients in the Emergency Department. Patanwala AE, et al. Pharmacotherapy. 2016.