Effects of a Local Anesthetic on Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate

Despite a large amount of work in recent years on local anesthetics, their effects on the cardiovascular system of the hospitalized patient is poorly defined. Questions of current interest are the immediate effect of local anesthetics on the pulse rate, the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Also of interest are the duration of these effects and the extent to which the neurogenic or psychogenic aspect of injecting a local anesthetic in the oral cavity affects the cardiovascular system. Therefore, it was considered feasible to analyze the effects of local anesthetics on blood pressure and pulse rate of hospitalized adult patients, who have or have not been premedicated and prior to and following oral surgery procedures. It is felt that this study has academic value; in addition, this information may contribute to more rational usage of local anesthetics