Local anesthetics (LA) are widely used for provision of regional anesthesia and analgesia with fewer side effects. LA toxicity can be divided into three categories; local, systemic and allergic reactions. The local toxicity results in neurotoxicity, transient neurological symptoms, or myotoxicity. On the other hand, the systemic toxicity includes central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular (CVS) toxicity. Here we present local anesthetics induced cardiovascular toxicity.
The cardiovascular toxicity arises from both the direct and indirect effect of LA on myocardium. The direct effect includes negative inotropy and delayed conduction of the impulse through the cardiac conduction tissue. Indirect effect is seen because of the effect of LA on the autonomic outflow and the direct effect on the cardiac center in the midbrain. Cardiovascular manifestations Toxic doses of local anesthetics…
