Korean J Anesthesiol.  2011 Dec;61(6):493-498. 10.4097/kjae.2011.61.6.493.

Insulin effect on bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity in rabbits

• Choi YS
• Lee KH

• KMID: 1854063
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2011.61.6.493

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Resuscitation following bupivacaine-induced cardiovascular collapse is difficult and often refractory to conventional treatment. This study was performed to assess the effect of insulin on bupivacaine-induced cardiovascular collapse in pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits.
METHODS
Bupivacaine was administered at 0.75 mg/kg/min until the heart rate decreased to 65 beats/min. A bolus of regular insulin (2 U/kg) was administered intravenously at the bupivacaine infusion endpoint (BIE) in the insulin group (n = 8), and 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl was administered to the control group (n = 8).
RESULTS
All animals in the insulin group survived and four animals died in the control group. Arrythymia was rare 10 minutes after the BIE in the insulin group.
CONCLUSIONS
Bupivacaine-induced cardiovascular collapse can be effectively reversed with an insulin injection, probably through facilitation of cardiac conduction and contraction.

Keyword

Bupivacaine; Cardiac arrhythmia; Insulin

MeSH Terms

Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Bupivacaine
Contracts
Heart Rate
Insulin
Rabbits
Resuscitation
Bupivacaine
Insulin