The Effects of Intralipos Pretreatment on the Cardiovascular Toxicity of Bupivacaine in Rabbits

Seo, Seon Heu; Chea, Jun Seuk; Kim, Chang Jae; Chung, Mee Young; Park, Jung Ju; Lee, Byung Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with intralipos on the cardiovascular toxicity caused by continuous intravenous infusion with bupivacaine.
METHODS
Fourteen healthy white rabbits were selected for this study and divided into the control group (n = 7) (normal saline administered for 30 minutes) and the intralipos pretreated group (n = 7) (intralipos administered for 30 minutes). The cardiovascular toxic effect during the continuous intravenous infusion of bupivacaine was observed between the control and the intralipos group by meaning the changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram.
RESULTS
In intralipos group, mean arterial pressure significantly increased after intralipos infusion for 30 minutes as compared with the control values (P < 0.05). The time intervals for 25, 50, 75 and 100% decrease in mean arterial pressure and heart rate and the onset time of the first QRS modification and dysrhythmia during continuous intravenous infusion of bupivacaine were significantly prolonged in the intralipos group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The time intervals for 100% decrease in heart rate after the stop of bupivacaine administration was significantly prolonged in the intralipos group compared with the control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that prophylactic intravenous infusion with intralipos prevents the cardiovascular toxicity caused by bupivacaine in rabbits.