Lidocaine
What is Lidocaine?
Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic agent utilized in ACLS to treat VT/VF if amiodarone is not available. Lidocain has been in use for many years, but has no proven efficacy in the short or long term treatment of patients in cardiac arrest.
Lidocaine Indications
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
Use only if amiodarone is not available.
Lidocaine Dosage
- Cardiac Arrest from VT / VT: 1 – 1.5 mg/kg via IV/IO
- Refractory VF: Additional 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg via IV/IO; Repeat every 5 – 10 minutes for maximum of 3 doses, or 3 mg/kg
- Stable VT: 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg up to 1.5 mg/kg; Repeat in 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg doses to maximum of 3 mg/kg
- Maintenance Infusion: 1 – 4 mg/min
Lidocaine Precautions/Side Notes
- Not recommended routinely following cardiac arrest, but may be used following ROSC
- May be used for stable polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with normal baseline QT AND torsades
- If left ventricular dysfunction or impaired liver function are present, decrease maintenance doses
- Do not use prophylactically after myocardial infarction
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The Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is an accredited online medical certification course that teaches medical professionals to respond to nearly all cardiopulmonary emergencies.
The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Recertification instructs medical professionals on performing pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergencies.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) Recertification is intended to teach healthcare professionals the basic steps of CPR and rescue breathing for adults, children, and infants.
Our online medical certification course for CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid is designed to teach adult, child, and infant CPR and AED use.
The Neonatal Resuscitation Certification trains medical professionals in performing resuscitation procedures and life-saving techniques for newborns at the time of delivery.
