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Published on: October 16, 2013
ASRA practice advisory on local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
Joseph M Neal1, Christopher M Bernards, John F Butterworth
1Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA. anejmn@vmmc.org
This practice advisory provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing, diagnosing, and treating local anesthetic systemic toxicity. It guides healthcare providers administering local anesthetics to mitigate risks of this severe complication.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pain Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is a potentially fatal complication.
- Current knowledge on LAST prevention, diagnosis, and treatment requires assimilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for managing local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
- To guide physicians and advanced practitioners in preventing and treating LAST.
Main Methods:
- Assimilation and summarization of current knowledge.
- Review of animal and human experimental trials, case series, and case reports.
- Supplementation with expert opinion when objective evidence is lacking.
Main Results:
- Specific recommendations for the prevention of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
- Specific recommendations for the diagnosis of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
- Specific recommendations for the treatment of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The advisory offers a comprehensive guide for managing local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
- It aims to improve patient safety for those undergoing procedures involving local anesthetics.
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