Hyperkalemic cardiac arrest triggered by intravenous lidocaine following axillary brachial plexus block for the creation of an arteriovenous fistula: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Axillary brachial plexus blockade (BPB) is commonly used as an anesthetic method for patients undergoing the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) during end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Several studies have shown that the combination of intravenous lidocaine and hyperkalemia in ESRD can produce severe conduction disturbance and asystole. Here, we report a case of cardiac arrest in a 41 year old male patient who manifested severe cardiac conduction disturbance during creation of an AVF. Sixty-five minutes after BPB, the intravenous therapeutic doses of lidocaine administered to treat frequent premature ventricular contractions aggravated his heart rhythm and produced a sine wave and ventricular fibrillation. It was assumed that ventricular fibrillation was induced by a combination of local anesthetics administered during BPB and systemic hyperkalemia as a result of the ESRD [ED highlight-please ensure my changes do not alter your intended meaning]. The patient was completely resuscitated 45 minutes after the cardiopulmonary resuscitation and correction of the hyperkalemia.