Local anaesthetics Flashcards
How do local anaesthetics stop nerve conduction?
- By blocking the voltage-gated Na+ channels
What receptors does LA work on?
- Works on first order afferent receptors - doesn’t touch the central nervous system
What are the 3 connective tissue layers of a peripheral nerve?
- Epineurium (outer)
- Perineurium
- Endoneurium (inner)
Are the functions of type A-alpha nerve fibres? (2 points)
Sensory (proprioception)
Motor (skeletal muscle)
Are type A-alpha nerves myelinated or unmyelinated?
Myelinated
Which nerves do you not want LA to go near?
Type C fibres (autonomic (post-ganglion))
What type of nerve fibre is the most affected by LA?
A-delta fibres
What type of nerve fibre is the last one affected by LA?
- A-alpha fibres
Where does LA bind to?
A site in Na+ channels
What is LA’s action on Na+ channels? (3 points)
- LA blocks the channel and prevents Na+ influx
- This blocks the AP generation and propagation
- Block persists so long as sufficient number of Na+ channel are blocked
LA blocks Na+ channels in other excitable tissues e.g. the heart. What 2 effects can this have?
La can cause bradycardia and hypotension
What are the 3 organic components of LA?
- Aromatic region (hydrophobic)
- Ester or amide bond
- Basic amine side chain (hydrophilic)
What happens when the base of an LA is HCl?
Renders the amine base more water soluble
Is LA active or inactive in its ionised form?
Active
Can LA ONLY cross the membrane in its ionised or un-ionised form?
- Un-ionised
Why are small diameter axons more susceptible to LA block?
Due to the number of channels that are blocked - need to block proportionally (do not need to block all of the channels)
- SO, small diameter = less channels to block
Where are Na+ channels and K+ channels concentrated in a myelinated axon?
- At the nodes of Ranvier
What is meant by needing the ‘safety factor’ when injecting La to a myelinated axon?
If you block one NOR you might not be able to block the nerve completely as the jump is so strong it can bypass the block
- Need to block a greater area to have an effect (to block the AP, the LA needs to act on several NOR along the axon)
Why is the LA base present as hydrochloride?
To increase the solubility in aqueous solutions
For dental injections what are the solutions (in %)?
2%-4% solutions