Lipid resuscitation: Progress in the pharmacology of local anaesthetics – a view from the perspective of the year 2007

Overview

The popularity of peripheral nerve blocks is steadily increasing. Due to the high doses of local anaesthetics used in these techniques the incidence of toxic reactions could rise. In this review we discuss the current knowledge of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of the cardiotoxicity of local anaesthetics. Cardiotoxicity induced by 22 mg of bupivacaine in a patient with isovaleric acidaemia stimulated research of local anaesthetics effects on mitochondria. In animal studies a lipid emulsion reversed cardiotoxic signs and symptoms. Its beneficial effect has been confirmed by five published case reports in humans. The mechanism of action of the lipid emulsion is explained and guidelines for its use in the treatment of cardiotoxicity are presented. A possible role of a lipid emulsion in the management of intoxications by other lipophilic drugs is suggested.

Key words:
local anaesthetics – cardiotoxicity – lipid emulsions – resuscitation