Lidocaine for prevention of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation after release of aortic cross-clamping.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a bolus of lidocaine administered by way of the pump before releasing the aortic cross-clamp (ACC) in preventing the occurrence of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (n = 34).


METHODS
Seventeen patients received 100 mg of lidocaine by way of the pump 2 minutes before releasing the ACC, and a control group of 17 patients received 5 mL of normal saline.


RESULTS
In the control group, the incidence of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation was 70%, which was significantly decreased to 11% in the lidocaine group. A higher cardiac output after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was observed in the lidocaine group; this may be attributed to the lower incidence of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation and consequently the lower need for defibrillation by electric countershocks.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a bolus of 100 mg of lidocaine administered 2 minutes before release of the ACC can safely decrease the incidence of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation and is associated with better hemodynamics after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass.
Baraka
A
A
Department of Anesthesiology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Kawkabani
N
N
Dabbous
A
A
Nawfal
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D008012:Lidocaine