Abstract

VALLONGO MENENDEZ, M. Beatriz. Regional anesthesia and cardiac arrest. Something that nobody must not to forget. Rev cuba anestesiol reanim [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.3, pp. 142-149. ISSN 1726-6718.

In general, we belief that the regional anesthesia has less risks than the general anesthesia and that the accidents during its conduction are "uncommon", "unusual" and "unexpected"; however, with some frequency these events are present in its more severe means. Thus, it is mandatory for anesthesiologists the frequent study of this subject. Objective: In present paper authors identify the risk factors, the pathophysiology leading to the cardiac arrest during the regional anesthesia and the prevention methods and treatment. Development: After the review of the related bibliography, it is offered an abstract of leading causes of the cardiac arrest during the regional anesthesia including the patients with a greater risk of bradycardia, arterial hypotension and the physiological changes during the neural-axial anesthesia, toxicity of local anesthetics in peripheral nerves blocks, the human mistake role related to these complications, as well as the essential measures of prevention and treatment. Conclusions: The regional anesthesia is not free from the severe complications. The appropriate choice of patients, of local anesthetics and its dose as well as the technique used decrease its incidence. The close monitoring and surveillance of patients under these circumstances are essential since they allow an early diagnosis and the timely treatment of the concerned eventualities.

Keywords : Cardiac arrest; regional anesthesia.

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