Local Anesthetics Flashcards
What is the axolemma?
cell membrane of
What do schwann cells do in unmyelinated nerves?
one single schwann cell will cover multiple axons.
What do schwann cells do in myelinated nerves?
in larger nerves, one schwann cell covers only one axon and has several concentric layers of myelin
What are the breaks in the myelin sheath called?
Nodes of Ravier
What level of nerves/neurons do we block?
primarily first order
Will unmyelinated or myelinated nerves be blocked faster?
unmyelinated
Where are VG Na channels located along the axon?
at/in the Nodes of Ranvier
To block a myelinated axon, how much must be blocked?
At least 3 nodes of ranvier in a row
What is a fasciculi?
bundle of axons
How many layers cover a fasciculi?
3;
Endoneurium
Perineurium
Epineurium
What is the endoneurium?
thin delicate collagen that embeds the axon in the fascicule
What is the perineurium?
layers of flattened cells that binds groups of fascicles together
- bundles of fascicles
What is the epineurium?
surrounds the perineurium and is composed of connective tissue that holds fascicles together to perform a peripheral nerve
Injecting into the perineurium does what?
separates the nerves
injecting into the perineurium injecting into he endoneurium will be good or bad?
direct nerve injury
- needle trauma
- local anesthetic volume will cause pressure
injecting into the perineurium injecting into he endoneurium will be good or bad?
direct nerve injury
- needle trauma
- local anesthetic volume will cause pressure
What is the normal neuron RMP?
-70 to -90mV
What is the most important pump in the axolemma?
Na+/K+ ATPase pump?
2K in
3Na out
What is the intracellular K:Na concentration?
30:1
What does the Nernst equation express?
the charge created by the K concentration gradient
In the axoplasm, is there excess anions or cations?
anions
negatively charged ions
What causes a nerve cell depolarization (what ion movement?)
VG na channels open, Na rushes INTO the cell
[overrides the K that is maintaining the potential]
When do the VG Na channels reach an inactive state?
+20mV
What phases of the Na channel opening do LA act on?
open and inactive
NOT closed
What phases of the Na channel opening do LA act on [preferentially]?
open and inactive
NOT closed
What confirmation is the Na channel in during repolarization?
inactive
Will LA bind to the VG Na channels when in the closed state?
open state?
inactive state?
closed- no
open- yes
inactive- yes
Will LA bind to the VG Na channels when in the closed state?
open state?
inactive state?
closed- no
open- yes
inactive- yes
LA act on which channels?
Na (preferentially)
K
Ca
G-protein coupled receptors
LA prevents movement of what ion and in which direction?
binds to VG Na channel;
Na cannot rush in, no action potential
How to LA affect the action potential?
LA block the transmission of the AP;
do not change the RMP
How do LA affect the RMP?
they don’t alter the RMP, only AP transmission
What is “frequency-dependent blockade”?
resting nerve is less sensitive to LA
a stimulated nerve will be affected more by the LA
What is “use-dependent” block?
resting nerve is less sensitive to LA
a stimulated nerve will be affected more by the LA
What is “phasic block”?
resting nerve is less sensitive to LA
a stimulated nerve will be affected more by the LA
What is the LA MOA?
- UNionized drug crosses nerve sheath & cell membrane
- Re-equilibrium drug binds with H+ ion inside the cell (inside the bi-phospholipid layer)
- drugH binds to open or inactive Na channel producing BLOCK
ALL local anesthetics are acids or bases?
WEAK BASE
Are big or small nerves easier to block?
small, unmyelinated
What will be seen first, before loss of sensation or movement? Why?
vasodilation d/t blockage of small preganglionic (controls SNS) fibers first
What type of nerves are harder to block?
big, myelinated
What will you see first when a nerve is blocked?
vasodilation/flushing d/t blocking of small preganglionic neurons (SNS)
Why do pregnant women complain of nausea after getting a spinal?
vasodilation distal to the block resulting in hypotension =
is sensation or motor lost first?
sensation - smaller block = loss of sensation not motor
Be careful d/t unintended injury
If motor is blocked, what does that tell us?
preganglionic & sensory nerves should be blocked
Who is Karl Koller?
introduced cocaine in 1884
Who first began using a drug as a local anesthetic?
Karl Koller
When was a drug first used as a local anesthetic?
1884
What are the 3 specific portion of the chemical structure of local anesthetics?
aromatic ring (makes it lipophilic) tertiary ring (hydorphilic) ester OR amide linkage
Why can local anesthetics get through the axon?
aromatic ring
What are 3 characteristics that differentiate ester vs amide local anesthetics?
- metabolism
- duration of action
- allergic potential
How to know what kind a local anesthetic is?
ester (one i)
amide (two i)
How are amides metabolized?
by the liver
Which type of local anesthetics will have more allergies?
esters
What is a metabolite that increases the risk of an allergic reaction?
PABA
para-amino benzoic acid
is made from ester local anesthetics
What is a metabolite that increases the risk of an allergic reaction?
PABA
para-amino benzoic acid
is made from ester local anesthetics
When does the affect of the LA wear off?
when it goes somewhere else in the body
more volume can last longer b/c it takes longer to go elsewhere in the body
What is C(m)
minimum concentration of LA necessary to produce conduction blockade of a nerve impulse
How does the C(m) of sensory fibers differ from the C(m) of motor fibers?
C(m) of motor fibers is approximately TWICE that of sensory fibers
Does intrathecal or spinal anesthesia require more local anesthetic?
epidural
When injecting an epidural (labor) what is the concentration/volume like?
lower concentration, higher volume
NEVER entering into the dura; hoping to get the nerve roots as they exit
large volume will spread
To allow sensation of contraction & assist
Spinal is where?
intrathecal; compromising the dura
injecting onto the nerve
FANTASTIC BLOCK
Where does the spinal cord end?
L1-L2?
Where does the dural sac end?
sacrum
After L1 what is present in the spinal cord?
3 nerves (sacral roots)
What is the ligament that attaches the spinal cord to the sacrum?
Coccygeal ligament
How will increasing the concentration affect the onset?
increased concentration = faster onset
How will increasing the concentration affect the onset?
increased concentration = faster onset
Never inject more than __ mL of a drug
5mL
ALWAYS ___ before you inject
aspirate
Local anesthetics have a strong relationship between potency and ___
lipid solubility
What types of local anesthetics are water insoluble?
larger lipid-soluble
What type of local anesthetics are highly protein bound?
larger lipid soluble
What does lipid solubility of local anesthetics correlate with? (5)
protein binding
increased potency
longer duration of action
tendency for severe cardiac toxicity
Potent local anesthetics will produce what?
good, strong, block
BAD if injected into the wrong place
What type of local anesthetics (E or A) are lipophilic & protein bound?
AMIDE
What kind of local anesthetics have more cardio toxicity?
BUPIVICAINE
What kind of protein do local anesthetics bind to preferentially?
alpha1-acid glycoprotein
What affects the duration of action of a local anesthetic?
- lipid solubility
- protein binding [↑ protein binding = longer DOA]
- injection site [is it vascular?]
For weak bases, closer to what pH means more ionized drug?
7.4
cannot cross membrane when ionized
Local anesthetics with a pKa closer to 7.4 will be slower or faster?
faster; LESS ionized drug
What are the 3 local anesthetics that do not cause vasodilation? (or the least)
lidocaine, ropivacaine, cocaine
How does vasodilation affect the PK of local anesthetics?
- decreases the duration of action
2. increases plasma concentration [potential toxicity]
What determines the plasma level of local anesthetics?
the total dose given,
not volume or concentration
What tissue/location results in the highest blood concentration of local anesthetics?
more vascular..
intravenous
tracheal
caudal
paracervical
What tissue/location results in the lowest blood concentration of local anesthetics?
less vascular.. (less to more)
subcutaneous sciatic brachial epidural paracervical
What are the 2 most common additives to local anesthetics?
- epinephrine
2. sodium bicarbonate
What are 6 other less common additives to local anesthetics?
clonidine dexmedetomidine opioids ketorolac dexamethasone hyaluronidase
Why is epinephrine added to local anesthetics?
it is a vasoconstrictor that reduces the rate of vascular absorption
How does epinephrine change the PK/PD of a local anesthetic? (3)
- increased duration
- increased potency
- decreased risk of toxicity
What is the benefit of adding bicarb to the local anesthetic?
- adding bicarb will increase the pH of the solution, resulting in more unionized drug
- may result in less pain on injection
What is a limitation that can occur when bicarbonate is added to the local anesthetic solution?
precipitation;
do not add with an solution containing epi
Which class of local anesthetic is metabolized quicker if absorbed into the systemic circulation?
esters (plasma esterases hydrolyze med)
What class of local anesthetic is metabolized slower in the systemic circulation?
amides (metabolized by CYP450 in the liver)
How will hepatic disease effect local anesthetics?
it will prolong the metabolism of amides (via CYP450), and patient might have low serum protein levels
What patient population might be more sensitive to local anesthetics and why?
- elderly d/t ↓hepatic or renal function & low serum protein = less protein binding and more free drug
- pregnant women.
epidural space will be mechanically compressed. Same volume of medication will have a greater spread up or down when injected.
AND
there is some suggestion that progesterone increases sensitivity to local anesthetics
What is the plasma half-life of procaine and chloroprocaine?
less than one minute
Which local anesthetics have a serum half-life of less than one minute?
procaine & chloroprocaine
What is LAST?
Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity
What is the most common cause of LAST?
the inadvertent injection of local anesthetic intravascularly
In LAST, what causes bradycardia?
the blocking of CARDIAC Na channels
What is the most serious cardiac sequalae of LAST?
ventricular fibrillation
In LAST, what mechanism is thought to be the cause of seizures?
blocking inhibitory neurons in the brain
In LAST, which drugs are the least cardiotoxic?
the shortest acting
Do more or less potent local anesthetics have higher lipid solubility & protein binding?
more potent agents have higher lipid solubility & protein binding
What local anesthetic is the most protein bound?
Bupivacaine
When does LAST present?
rapid onset, within 1 minute
What are the first s/s of LAST?
agitation tinnitus circumoral numbness blurred vision metallic taste
What are s/s LAST is progressing?
muscle twitching, unconsciousness, seizures
followed by
CARDIAC & RESPIRATORY arrest
What is the FIRST thing you do if you suspect LAST?
CALL FOR HELP
What is the SECOND thing you do if you suspect LAST?
manage the airway
Incidence of LAST
0.4 in 10,000
LAST is most commonly seen in what 3 regional anesthetics?
- epidural
- axillary blocks
- interscalene blocks
The brachial plexus is from which nerve roots?
C5-8 - T1
Where does the vertebral artery enter the spinal columm?
C7
Where does a brachial plexus block target?
C5, C6, C7
What 2 anatomical structures cause increased risk of LAST during an epidural placement?
epidural vein & dura
What 2 anatomical structures cause increased risk of LAST during an interscalene block?
carotid artery
internal jugular vein
What are 4 strategies to prevent LAST?
per Dr. Falyar
- test dosing
- incremental injection with aspiration
- use of pharmacologic markers
- ultrasound
What is the treatment for LAST?
- recognition
- AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
- Sz suppression with benzo or succinylcholine
- PREVENT hypoxia & ACIDOSIS (will “trap” medication
- LIPID EMULSION THERAPY
- VASOPRESSORS
- EPI <1mg/kg
- NOT VASOPRESSIN
- EPI <1mg/kg
What is the initial bolus dose of lipid emulsion 20% in a patient <70kg?
bolus 1.5mg/kg over 2-3 minutes
What is the initial bolus dose of lipid emulsion 20% in a patient >70kg?
bolus 100mL over 2-3 minutes
What is the lipid emulsion 20% infusion dose in a patient <70kg?
~0.25mL/kg/min IBW
What is the lipid emulsion 20% infusion dose in a patient >70kg?
200-250mL over 15-20 minutes
What if the patient experiencing LAST is still unstable after bolus and infusion?
re-bolus 1 or 2 times.
double infusion rate
**DOSING LIMIT 12ML/KG
How long should monitoring continue after LAST event?
at least 4-6 hours after event with cardiac involvement
at least 2 hours after limited CNS event
What is the maximum dose of lipid emulsion therapy when treating LAST?
12mL/kg
What medication should be AVOIDED when treating LAST, specifically hypotension?
do not give vasopressin
Why is it important to make a patient alkalotic when experiencing LAST?
increasing the pH will limit the amount of ionized drug = drug is NOT “trapped” in cells
What is the MOA of lipid emulsion therapy in the treatment of LAST?
****
- “capture” local anesthetic in the blood (lipid sink)
- increased fatty acid uptake by mitochondria
- interference of Na channel binding
- promotion of calcium entry
- accelerated shunting
Allergic reaction is most commonly seen in which type of local anesthetics? Why?
ester local anesthetics
esters are metabolized to/derivatives of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which is a known allergen
Is there cross reactivity in local anesthetics?
Yes, among the esters but NOT with the amides
ie. an allergy to an ESTER does not necessarily mean the patient will be allergic to amides
An allergic reaction to an amide local anesthetic is most often caused by what?
preservatives
When is it necessary to ensure the local anesthetic being administered does not contain preservatives?
when doing a spinal or epidural
What are 3 preservatives that can sometimes be found in local anesthetic formulations?
- paraben
- methylparaben
- metabisulfite
What side effect of local anesthetics alters oxygenation?
methemoglobinemia
What is methemoglobinemia?
ferris (Fe2+) form of hemoglobin is converted into ferric (Fe3+) form.
*reduced oxygen carrying capacity = decreased SpO2 that is not responsive to oxygen administration
What are 2 local anesthetics most likely to cause methemoglobinemia?
Benzocaine
Prilocaine
Why can Prilocaine cause methemoglobinemia?
metabolite is o-touidine
The dosing of prilocaine should not exceed, what?
2.5mg/kg
Is local anesthetic based on TBW or IBW?
IBW
Prilocaine should be avoided in what 3 patient populations?
children under 6yr
pregnant women
patients taking other oxidizing drugs
What is the treatment for methemoglobinemia?
methylene blue 1-2mg/kg over 3-10 minutes
saturation may drop for ~30 seconds upon administration
extremely high levels of methemoglobinemia may require __ or __?
dialysis or transfusion
What is Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)?
bowel & bladder dysfunction with lower extremity weakness and sensory impairment related to cord ischemia
- maldistribution of local anesthetic within the intrathecal space
What are the risk factors for CES?
cauda equina syndrome
- supranormal doses of local anesthetics
2-chloroprocaine
lidocaine
What is Transient Neurologic Symptoms (TNS)?
burning, aching, cramp like pain in the lower back and radiating down the thighs
- for up to 5 days post op
most often associated with intrathecal lidocaine
What medication is TNS most associated with?
transient neurological symptoms
lidocaine
What are 3 risk factors of TNS?
transient neurological symptoms
- Lidocaine
- lithotomy position
- stretch of nerves in addition to the lidocaine?
- outpatient surgery
Who discovered Lidocaine & what year?
Nils Lofgren
943
What list is lidocaine included on?
the World Health Organization’s list of essential medications
What is EMLA cream?
1:1 Lidocaine:Procaine mixture
What are the 4 patients or locations EMLA is contraindicated in?
- open skin
- mucous membrane
- infants <1 month
- Hx methemoglobinemia
What is a bier block?
How much medication is used?
2 tourniquets
25-50mL of 0.5%Lidocaine
Onset time 5-10 minutes
tourniquet pain is usually at 20 minutes
What types of surgery use bier blocks (2)?
- closed reduction
2. carpal tunnel
What are the 2 treatment interventions of LAST?
- Benzodiazepines
2. hyperventilation (raises seizure threshold)
The administration of Lidocaine 1.5mg/kg can (3):
- decrease CBF & ICP
- block reflex bronchoconstriction on intubation
- blunt SNS response to intubation
What is EXPAREL?
new generation of local anesthetic
bupivacaine encapsulated in liposomal agent
What can exparel be mixed with?
ONLY bupivacaine
How long can/does exparel last?
up to 72 hours
What is the maximum dose of exparel?
266mg (20mL) - can be diluted up to 0.89mg/mL 1:14
What is the minimum size needle exparel can be administered with into the surgical site?
25g
Can Exparel and Lidocaine be mixed?
NO!!!
What are 3 situations/patients where exparel should NOT be used?
- obstetrical paracervical block
- patients < 18yr
- epidural or intrathecal anesthesia
When must exparel be discarded?
after 4 hours
What is the incidence of N/V with exparel?
> 10%
What type of local anesthetic is cocaine?
only naturally occuring
What is cocaine made from?
Cocoa plant
How does cocaine work?
blocks the monoamine transporter in the adrenergic system
What physiological response is created by cocaine?
blocking the reuptake of catecholamines (monoamine transporter block) = more catecholamines = vasoconstriction & SNS stimulation
What 3 types of medications should cocaine be used with caution?
- epinephrine containing medications
- MOAIs
- tricyclics
What is the maximum dose of cocaine?
5mL of 5% solution