[Prevention, clinical aspects and therapy of the side-effects of lidocaine]

In 134 patients with an acute myocardial infarction a prolonged lidocaine infusion was performed. In 6.7% of the patients severe side effects occurred. They appeared with central-nervous and haemodynamic symptomatology. In 6 patients with a high degree of severity of the side effect a determination of the plasma content could be performed, which in every case showed contents during the process above the therapeutic region. It was confirmed that side effects of lidocaine are to be apprehended, when the therapeutic region (2-6 mg/l-1) of the antiarrhythmic drugs is transgressed. On the basis of own experiences and reports from literature the therapeutic approach in lidocaine side effects is concerned and possibilities are shown to avoid them.