Early intralipid therapy may have prevented bupivacaine-associated cardiac arrest.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Local anesthetic-induced cardiotoxicity remains a complication of regional anesthesia, with the potential to result in cardiac arrest refractory to resuscitation. Successful resuscitation using Intralipid (Baxter Pharmaceuticals by Fresenius Kabi, Uppsala, Sweden), has been reported in 2 patients with bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest.

CASE REPORT:

We report another case for which Intralipid was used as part of a successful resuscitation in a patient with local anesthetic-induced cardiotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Early treatment with Intralipid may help prevent cardiac arrest and speed successful resuscitation efforts.

• Authors: Thomas McCutchen, J C Gerancher
• Journal: Regional anesthesia and pain medicine (Reg Anesth Pain Med) 2008 Mar-Apr Vol. 33 Issue 2 Pg. 178-80 ISSN: 1098-7339 [Print] England
• PMID: 18299100 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Fat Emulsions, Intravenous
• Bupivacaine

Topics

• Aged, 80 and over
• Anesthetics, Local (adverse effects)
• Bupivacaine (adverse effects)
• Fat Emulsions, Intravenous (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Heart Arrest (prevention & control)
• Humans
• Resuscitation (methods)
• Tachycardia, Ventricular (chemically induced, therapy)
• Time Factors