[Variations in hemodynamic parameters in patients under general anesthesia undergoing submucosal infiltration with a mixture of local anesthetic and adrenaline].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Some authors have shown that increased blood levels of adrenaline do not have any effect on cardiovascular function. Others have documented major changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate even following non-maximal doses of adrenalin in association with anesthetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of local anesthetics when used with/without associated vasoconstrictors.

METHODS

The authors studied the hemodynamic, cardiac and respiratory changes in two groups of patients respectively undergoing general and local anesthesia for a variety of pathologies of the oro-maxillo-facial district. At a preoperative stage, 4 ml of mepivacaine (carbocaine) 2% with 1:100,000 adrenaline was administered to patients in the first group. Data were compared to changes in the same parameters recorded in the second control group undergoing local anesthesia for day-hospital surgery who received the same quantities of local anesthetic (2 tubes of mepivacaine 2% with 1: 100,000 adrenaline or 3% without adrenaline).

RESULTS

The comparison between the two groups of data showed no significant change in cardiorespiratory parameters, except in patients with an abnormal response to dentistry stress.

CONCLUSIONS

No elements were found to support the systemic toxicity of local anesthetic or its association with adrenaline.