Knowledge of the Research Assistants Regarding Local Anaesthetics and Toxicity

Evaluating the effects of rifampin in the prevention of neurogenic symptoms and cardiac arrhythmias caused by the systemic toxicity of lidocaine in rats

Lidocaine toxicity is caused by unintended intravascular injection or overdose. Lidocaine is metabolized in the liver by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme. The objective was to investigate if the administration of rifampin could accelerate animal recovery and reduce the symptoms of lidocaine toxicity by induction of the CYP3A4. Thirty-six male rats were divided into control and treatment groups, each containing three subgroups. The treatment group received oral rifampin suspension daily for 1 week. In all rats, 2.00% lidocaine was injected intravenously. The first subgroup was monitored for neurological symptoms. In the second subgroup, data were recorded after the electrode was placed in the right hippocampus. Electrocardiograms were taken from the third subgroup. CYP3A4 was measured using an ELISA kit. Neurological recovery was seen after 22 and 15 min in the control and treatment groups, respectively. Rifampin also caused a significant reduction in amplitude and number of field action potentials compared to the control group. Numerous cardiac arrhythmias were observed in the control group. The mean level of CYP3A4 in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group. In conclusion, oral rifampin could increase the synthesis of CYP3A4, therefore, the animal recovery from lidocaine toxicity was accelerated.

Lidocaine Infusion: An Antiarrhythmic With Neurologic Toxicities

As a renowned local anesthetic agent of choice, lidocaine is also a class 1b antiarrhythmic agent that is primarily used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Although lidocaine systemic toxicity is rare, it may be life-threatening; thus, its early identification and management are of vital importance. This case report details the clinical scenario of intravenous lidocaine administration to a patient at high risk of toxicity in a 64-year-old patient, who initially presented with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia received lidocaine and subsequently developed neurologic manifestations of lidocaine toxicity, including altered mental status and seizure. The patient was treated promptly with benzodiazepine and discontinuation of lidocaine as the offending agent, with complete resolution of adverse effects.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on usage and toxicity of local anaesthetic agents (LA) amongst health care professionals in obstetrics and gynaecology

A sound knowledge of LA and their dosage is essential for effective anaesthesia and patient safety as LA toxicity could be potentially life-threatening and clinicians undertaking LA procedures must be competent in early recognition of toxicity and instigating remedial measures timely. This is a prospective national-level survey using self-administered questionnaires among health care professionals in Obstetrics and Gynaecology primarily based in Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust and further extended to other regions of the United Kingdom. The survey was focussed on evaluating the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the common local anaesthetic agents, their dosage, early recognition and management of LA systemic toxicity(LAST). We understood that all groups of health care professionals did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of safe and effective use of LA agents. We thereby propose an accredited knowledge-based learning module, laminated safety information cards for LA use and ensuring availability of Lipid-emulsion therapy in clinical areas.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Health care professionals using LA should have sufficient knowledge of LA including the required and maximum dose allowance, pharmacokinetic properties, possible complications and management of systemic toxicity. The lack this can trigger potentially fatal and life-threatening complications if misused. Therefore, the key objectives of the use of LA in clinical settings are to optimise pain management while ensuring safe practice.What do the results of this study add? We understood that all groups of health care professionals did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the safe and effective use of LA agents and appropriate management of its toxicity. This highlights the urgent need for extending awareness among the professionals on the safe administration of LA, early identification and prompt management of LAST. This will improve not only the safety but also the overall patient experience and quality of care.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We thereby propose that an accredited knowledge-based module on safe administration and safety concerns of LA must be made compulsory for all those administering LA. Laminated safety information cards on LA with explicit algorithms/guidelines should be made available in all clinical areas to avoid any delays in the management of toxicity. Moreover, all health-care institutions must ensure the availability of Lipid Emulsion Therapy.

Improving local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) awareness in maternity care using tailored educational tools

Local anaesthetic (LA) agents are widely used in maternity care. Although relatively safe, their use does carry risks, the most serious of which is systemic toxicity (LAST). LAST poses a major threat to maternal and neonatal safety due to the frequency of LA administration in maternity care and the under-recognition of toxicity in such settings, which has been reported globally. Our aim was to prevent LAST occurrence in a District General Hospital (DGH) maternity unit by improving staff awareness through the implementation of a tailored educational programme. We used a standardised 14-point questionnaire to evaluate LAST awareness among staff of all disciplines. Domains of interest were LA maximum safe doses, LAST recognition, immediate management and use of antidote. Following baseline assessment, we implemented an educational programme in three stages. Each featured a distinct tool: video presentation, poster and lanyard card. Awareness was reassessed between stages using the same questionnaire. We identified poor baseline awareness across all non-anaesthetic disciplines. Average questionnaire score improved from 3.9/14 (n=23) to 8.1/14 (n=30) during the project period, an increase of 109.3%. Scores improved in all professional groups and a change in workplace culture has been reported. Using a tailored interprofessional educational intervention, we generated an increase in awareness and maintained this over a 4-month period. Improved knowledge and a shift in clinical attitudes towards shared responsibility will reduce avoidable peripartum risk associated with LAST at this DGH. Although the tools used were specific to LAST in this setting, they could be easily adapted for NHS maternity services elsewhere and indeed other areas of care.

The Knowledge of Eye Physicians on Local Anesthetic Toxicity and Intravenous Lipid Treatment: Questionnaire Study

Objectives

To evaluate the knowledge of ophthalmologists regarding local anesthesia toxicity syndrome (LATS) and intravenous lipid emulsion used in treatment, and to raise awareness of this issue.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire comprising 14 questions about demographics, local anesthesia (LA) use, toxicity, and treatment methods was administered to ophthalmologists at different hospitals.

Results

The study included 104 ophthalmologists (25% residents, 67.3% specialists, 7.7% faculty members) with a mean age of 35.71±6.53 years. The highest number of participants was from state hospitals (65.4%), and 34.6% of the physicians had been working in ophthalmology for more than 10 years. Seventy-six percent of the participants reported using LA every day or more than twice a week, but 56.7% had received no specific training on this subject. No statistically significant difference was observed between different education levels and the rates of training (p=0.419). Bupivacaine was the most preferred LA and the majority of respondents (97.1%) did not use a test dose. Allergy (76%) and hypotension (68.3%) were the most common responses for early findings of LATS, while cardiac arrest (57.4%) and hepatotoxicity (56.4%) were given for late findings. The most common responses concerning the prevention of LATS included monitorization (72.4%) and use of appropriate doses (58.2%). Symptomatic treatment was selected by 72.4% of respondents and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and antihistamine treatment by 58.8%. Of the ophthalmologists in the study, 62.5% had never encountered LATS. The use of 20% intravenous lipid emulsion therapy for toxicity was known by 65% of the physicians, but only 1 participant stated having used it previously.

Conclusion

The importance of using 20% lipid emulsion in LATS treatment and having it available where LA is administered must be emphasized, and there should be compulsory training programs for ophthalmologists on this subject.

Lidocaine-Induced Systemic Toxicity: A Case Report and Review of Literature

For the past 50 years, local anesthetics such as lidocaine have been commonly used in various clinical settings. Its use is not just limited to anesthesia and surgery but is also frequently utilized in internal medicine and in primary care setting for bedside procedures. Despite its widespread use, most physicians are not familiar with the life-threatening manifestations of lidocaine toxicity and its treatment. Our case demonstrates a successful resuscitation after cardiac arrest in a healthy 33-year-old female with systemic lidocaine toxicity after she received lidocaine as a local anesthetic. Our goal is to educate general internists and primary care physicians of the possible hazards of lidocaine use. We also aim to create mindfulness of the symptoms of lidocaine toxicity and the use of intravenous lipid emulsion as an antidote.