lignocaine in cardiac resuscitation
Last reviewed 01/2018
Lignocaine is given in stable ventricular tachycardia, or after defibrillation in unstable ventricular tachycardia. It is not an adjunct to defibrillation. Its action is to block re-entry circuits, thus reducing ventricular ectopy.
Points of note include:
- need to correct hypokalaemia before giving lignocaine
- doses: see the relevant protocols
- rapid hepatic elimination and rapid distribution
- problems in liver disease, CHF or with drugs like cimetidine, propranolol and anticonvulsants.
- iv access site will be rendered anaesthetic