RT Book, Section
A1 Schwartz, David R.
A1 Kaufman, Brian
A2 Hoffman, Robert S.
A2 Howland, Mary Ann
A2 Lewin, Neal A.
A2 Nelson, Lewis S.
A2 Goldfrank, Lewis R.
SR Print(0)
ID 1108431529
T1 Local Anesthetics
T2 Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 10e
YR 2015
FD 2015
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071801843
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1108431529
RD 2024/04/20
AB Local  anesthetics  are  xenobiotics  that  block  excitation  of  and  transmission  along  a  nerve  axon  in  a  predictable  and  reversible  manner.  The  anesthesia  produced  is  selective  to  the  chosen  body  part  in  contrast  to  the  nonselective  effects  of  a  general  anesthetic.  Local  anesthetics  do  not  require  the  circulation  as  an  intermediate  carrier,  and  they  usually  are  not  transported  to  distant  organs.  Therefore,  the  actions  of  local  anesthetics  are  largely  confined  to  the  structures  with  which  they  come  into  direct  contact.  Local  anesthetics  may  provide  analgesia  in  various  parts  of  the  body  by  topical  application,  injection  in  the  vicinity  of  peripheral  nerve  endings  and  major  nerve  trunks,  or  via  instillation  within  the  epidural  or  subarachnoid  spaces.  The  various  local  anesthetics  differ  with  regard  to  their  potency,  duration  of  action,  and  degree  of  effects  on  sensory  and  motor  fibers.  Toxicity  may  be  local  or  systemic.  With  systemic  toxicity,  the  central  nervous  system  (CNS)  and  cardiovascular  systems  typically  are  affected.