title: Ventricular fibrillation after accidental injection of bupivacaine into the pericardium.
abstract: A postoperative cardiac surgical patient developed ventricular fibrillation immediately after accidental pericardial injection of bupivacaine at room temperature. The possible causes, which include systemic toxicity, local vasoconstriction with myocardial ischaemia, local toxic effect of bupivacaine or local hypothermia, are discussed.
authors: Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Antwerp, Edegem-Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Even
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: De Jongh
authors: S G
authors: SG
authors: De Hert
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010496:Pericardium; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D002045:Bupivacaine