Journal
of Palliative Medicine, Apr 2015, vol. 18, no. 4, p. 373-377
Peixoto,
Renata D'Alpino, Hawley, Pippa
The
belief that cardiac monitoring is required for safe administration of intravenous lidocaine is a barrier
to access in the palliative care setting. The authors argue that their protocol
of infusional lidocaine can be beneficial to patients with cancer with severe
opioid-refractory pain, and can safely be administered with close observation
and vital sign monitoring, without ECG monitoring. They conclude this
treatment could be delivered in palliative care units, hospices, or even
patients' homes, providing suitable nursing supervision can be provided.