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Updated: May 14, 2026
09:58
Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases
Published on: March 18, 2022
Lipids in local anesthetic toxicity.
Artur Udelsmann1, Elisabeth Dreyer, Marcos De Simone Melo
1Departament of Anesthesiology and Experimental Anesthesia Laboratory, Medical Sciences Faculty, Campinas State University, Campinas, SP, Brazil. audelsmann@yahoo.com.br
Summary
Lipid emulsion therapy effectively treats local anesthetic toxicity, reducing complications. This review examines its mechanisms, benefits, and limitations for safe anesthesia practices.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Local and regional anesthesia use has increased with long-lasting anesthetics.
- Inadvertent intravascular injection of local anesthetics is a severe complication.
- Lipid emulsion therapy has emerged as a treatment for local anesthetic toxicity since 2006.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the methodology, mechanisms, interests, limitations, and recommended treatment of lipid emulsion therapy for local anesthetic toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed historical references and articles published in Medline-indexed journals over the last 30 years.
- Selected articles on local anesthetic toxicity, lipid emulsion therapy, and treatment guidelines.
- Synthesized information to provide a comprehensive summary.
Main Results:
- Lipid emulsion therapy has demonstrated significant interest and effectiveness in managing local anesthetic-induced toxicity.
- Studies show a decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with this treatment.
- Guidelines from specialty societies recommend stocking lipid emulsions for anesthetic settings.
Conclusions:
- Lipid emulsion therapy is a proven and valuable treatment for local anesthetic toxicity.
- Its effectiveness and benefits are widely recognized by medical communities.
- Availability of lipid emulsions is advised in all settings where local and regional anesthesia are performed.
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