Safety of magnesium-lidocaine combination for severe head injury: the Turin lidomag pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Neuroprotection in the setting of severe head injury (SHI) remains an unsettled problem. We tested a combination of high-dose magnesium and low-dose lidocaine, infused over 3 days, in a pilot study to assess safety. This combination appears indicated to protect both gray and white matter from secondary injury following SHI.


METHODS
We studied 32 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department of our hospital, a large tertiary referral center.


RESULTS
No toxicity was observed. Mortality was lower than published statistics.


CONCLUSIONS
These results open the stage to a controlled randomized study.
Canavero
Sergio
S
Department of Neurosciences and Anesthesiology, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy.
Bonicalzi
Vincenzo
V
Narcisi
Paolo
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008012:Lidocaine