Does prophylactic lidocaine control cardiac arrhythmias associated with pulmonary artery catheterization?

Abstract

The pliable balloon tip of the Swan-Ganz catheter (SG catheter) attenuates cardiac arrhythmias associated with endocardial contact. Ventricular arrhythmias still occur frequently during SG catheterization. Administration of lidocaine (50-100 mg, iv) has been advocated prior to the floatation of the catheter tip through the right heart to electrically stabilize the myocardium. However, after routine administration of prophylactic lidocaine, the authors were unable to observe any distinct diminution in catheter-induced ectopic activity. A double-blind comparison of lidocaine against saline in 107 patients confirmed their clinical impression.