Anesthesia & Clinical Research
Open Access

Abstract

Lidocaine: A Key-Factor to Avoid the Postponement of an Oncologic Urgent Surgery

Joana Varandas, Margarida Rodrigues, Rita Saraiva, Ana Ribeiro, Carla Cavaleiro and Humberto S Machado

Background and objectives: On the perioperative period, cardiovascular disease represents one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors ischemic heart disease and heart failure is increasing alongside with life expectancy.

Case report: We present a patient scheduled for laryngeal biopsies of a neoformation suspected of malignancy under general anesthesia. We describe the use of lidocaine in converting an atrial fibrillation with limited ventricular tachycardia episodes into sinus rhythm, in a patient with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Discussion: Lidocaine is an anti-arrhythmic drug due to its effect on blockade sodium channel. In this case, it allowed the pharmacological cardioversion into sinus rhythm, avoiding the postponement of the surgery. Further investigation should be conducted to confirm the authors’ anesthetic approach in similar cases.