gasguide

Lipid Emulsion 20%

Intralipid

Lipid resuscitation agent

Theory: 'Lipid sink' sequesters lipophilic drugs (especially LAs), shifts to better Ca²⁺ handling, fatty acid metabolic support.

Indications

  • LAST (cardiotoxicity from local anesthetic)
  • Lipophilic drug overdose (TCA, calcium-channel blocker, β-blocker, bupropion — controversial)

Dosing

ContextAdultPediatric
LAST bolus1.5 mL/kg IV over 1 min, repeat 1–2× if no response
LAST infusion0.25 mL/kg/min for 10 min after stability; max ~12 mL/kg total

Pharmacokinetics

Onset 1–3 min.

Side effects

  • !Pancreatitis (high cumulative dose)
  • !Fat overload syndrome (rare with single resuscitation event)
  • !Lab interference (lipemic samples)
  • !ECMO circuit fouling (use only if no alternatives)

Contraindications

  • ×Severe egg allergy (formulation contains egg phospholipid)

Clinical pearls

  • ASRA recommends earliest lipid use, before resuscitation seems failing.
  • Document via LipidRescue.org registry.
  • Don't substitute propofol — too dilute (1% lipid) and has cardiac depression.
Education only — confirm against current package inserts and institutional protocols. Doses assume normal organ function unless otherwise noted.