Lidocaine-Induced Systemic Toxicity: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

For the past 50 years, local anesthetics such as lidocaine have been commonly used in various clinical settings. Its use is not just limited to anesthesia and surgery but is also frequently utilized in internal medicine and in primary care setting for bedside procedures. Despite its widespread use, most physicians are not familiar with the life-threatening manifestations of lidocaine toxicity and its treatment. Our case demonstrates a successful resuscitation after cardiac arrest in a healthy 33-year-old female with systemic lidocaine toxicity after she received lidocaine as a local anesthetic. Our goal is to educate general internists and primary care physicians of the possible hazards of lidocaine use. We also aim to create mindfulness of the symptoms of lidocaine toxicity and the use of intravenous lipid emulsion as an antidote.