Question

How does lidocaine stabilize ventricular tachycardia?

Options:

Suppresses sodium influx in cardiac cells
Increases potassium efflux in cardiac cells
Enhances calcium influx in cardiac cells
Reduces cardiac contractility

Answer 1

Lidocaine stabilizes ventricular tachycardia by suppressing sodium influx in cardiac cells, thereby reducing heart tissue excitability and restoring normal rhythm.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lidocaine stabilizes ventricular tachycardia primarily by suppressing sodium influx in cardiac cells. When lidocaine acts as a sodium channel blocker, it inhibits the rapid depolarization of the cardiac action potential, which is crucial for the formation and propagation of electrical signals within the heart muscles. By decreasing the inflow of sodium ions, lidocaine reduces the excitability of heart tissue, helps to restore normal rhythm, and thus stabilizes ventricular tachycardia.