What is the primary reason for giving intravenous lidocaine in rhythm disturbances?

What is the primary reason for giving intravenous lidocaine in rhythm disturbances?

• A. Atrial fibrillation
• B. Short bursts of ventricular ectopy
• C. Sinus bradycardia
• D. Atrial flutter

Answer: (B)

IV lidocaine is used primarily to suppress ventricular ectopy because it’s a class IB antiarrhythmic that preferentially blocks sodium channels in ischemic ventricular tissue. This action reduces abnormal automaticity and ectopic ventricular firing, especially during acute heart injury, and helps prevent short bursts of ventricular ectopy from triggering more dangerous rhythms. It isn’t effective for atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or flutter, and it doesn’t treat bradycardia, so its role is focused on acute suppression of ventricular ectopy rather than other rhythm disturbances.