When Regional Anesthesia Met Pharmacokinetics

Abstract

Pharmacokinetics of Local Anaesthetic Agents. By Tucker GT, Mather LE. Br J Anaesth 1975; 47(suppl 1):213–24 Information derived from measurements of blood concentrations of local anaesthetics can be extended by the application of pharmacokinetic analysis. A better understanding of quantitative aspects of the disposition and absorption of these drugs should assist the anaesthetist in deciding the optimal agent and dosage for regional block techniques.

Letter to the editor about reporting drug concentrations and pharmacokinetics in regional anesthesia and pain medicine

“…We have recently reflected on these issues in relation to the early days of pharmacokinetic studies of local anesthetics 2. In particular, we stressed the importance of distinguishing between plasma and whole blood drug concentrations, as well as the need to assess unbound drug concentrations, in relation to drug effects.…”