Lignocaine in cardiac resuscitation
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
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