Related Experiment Videos
Does lidocaine provoke clinically significant vasospasm?
1Department of Anesthesia, Hiroshima Red Cross & Atomic Bomb Survivors Hospital, Japan. azmacci@nifty.com
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|September 13, 2003
Summary
Topical lidocaine may cause peripheral vasoconstriction, a rare side effect. Anesthesiologists should be aware of this potential risk of vasospasm when using lidocaine.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lidocaine is a widely used local anesthetic.
- It is generally considered to have vasodilatory properties.
Observation:
- Two cases of peripheral vasoconstriction were observed.
- The vasoconstriction occurred after topical application of lidocaine.
Findings:
- Topical lidocaine may provoke peripheral vasospasm.
- This effect is contrary to lidocaine's typical vasodilatory action.
Implications:
- Anesthesiologists should consider the potential for lidocaine-induced vasospasm.
- This risk may be a diagnostic pitfall in clinical practice.