[Side effects following intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) on the central nervous system and heart rate]

Forty patients undergoing upper limb surgery received intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA). Electroencephalographic (EEG) and electrocardiographic (ECG) assessments were performed the day before surgery without any premedication and postoperatively before, during and after the release of the cuff. For IVRA, vasocontrictorfree 0.5% mepivacaine solution at a dosage of 3 mg/kg body wt. was applied, followed by an additional injection of 20 ml 0.9% NaCl solution. The EEG and ECG did not show any evidence of toxical effects on brain function or cardiac rhythm. In response to the sedative property of mepivacaine stages of sleep were observed in all patients following the release of the cuff. Because of this effect on alertness, ambulant patients should not participate actively in traffic.