Case report Local anesthetic toxicity due to hypoalbuminemia

Abstract

Local anesthetics are drugs widely used to perform peripheral nerve blocks. Signs and symptoms of toxicity may vary from mild to severe, including neuro and cardiotoxicity, with seizures and cardiac arrest. We present the case of an 85-year-old patient in total left knee replacement plan due to tibial saucer fracture, where systemic toxicity was observed by local anesthetics (LAST) after performing a femoral nerve block guided by neurostimulation and ultrasound with a solution of 20 ml of 0.525% ropivacaine + 0.6% lidocaine. As a positive data, the patient presented severe hypoalbuminemia.