What is an effective treatment method for bupivacaine toxicity?

Bupivacaine toxicity can lead to serious side effects, particularly cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) complications. An effective treatment for bupivacaine toxicity is lipid infusion therapy, which is based on the “lipid rescue” concept. This method involves the administration of a lipid emulsion, which serves to help absorb the local anesthetic from the bloodstream, reducing its systemic effects.

The rationale behind lipid infusion lies in the ability of lipids to create a "lipid pool" in the bloodstream. This pool can sequester lipophilic drugs like bupivacaine, thereby reducing their free concentration and mitigating toxicity. Moreover, lipid emulsions may provide a source of energy and potentially improve myocardial function, assisting in the management of cardiovascular collapse that may occur as a result of bupivacaine overdose.

Intravenous hydration may be supportive, but it does not directly address the mechanism of toxicity associated with bupivacaine. Antihistamines primarily target allergic reactions and are not effective in managing systemic local anesthetic toxicity. High-dose aspirin does not have a role in the treatment of bupivacaine toxicity either; it is primarily used for its antiplatelet effects and not for addressing