Which side effect is associated with rapid IV administration of bupivacaine due to histamine release?

Which side effect is associated with rapid IV administration of bupivacaine due to histamine release?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Hypotension
• C. Tachycardia
• D. No effect

Answer: (B)

When a local anesthetic like bupivacaine is given rapidly into the intravenous circulation, mast cells can release histamine, which causes vasodilation. This reduces systemic vascular resistance and, often, venous return, leading to a drop in blood pressure. That’s why hypotension is the side effect associated with rapid IV administration due to histamine release. Hypertension would not fit the vasodilatory action of histamine, and while tachycardia can occur as a compensatory response, the direct effect described here is the fall in blood pressure. No effect would be incorrect because histamine release does produce a hemodynamic change.

When a local anesthetic like bupivacaine is given rapidly into the intravenous circulation, mast cells can release histamine, which causes vasodilation. This reduces systemic vascular resistance and, often, venous return, leading to a drop in blood pressure. That’s why hypotension is the side effect associated with rapid IV administration due to histamine release. Hypertension would not fit the vasodilatory action of histamine, and while tachycardia can occur as a compensatory response, the direct effect described here is the fall in blood pressure. No effect would be incorrect because histamine release does produce a hemodynamic change.