Lipid emulsion

It is often referred to by the brand name of the most commonly used version, Intralipid, which is an emulsion containing soybean oil, egg phospholipids and glycerin, and is available in 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations.

The 30% concentration is not approved for direct intravenous infusion, but should be mixed with amino acids and dextrose as part of a total nutrient admixture.

Lipid emulsions are effective in treating experimental models of severe cardiotoxicity from intravenous overdose of local anaesthetic drugs such as bupivacaine.

An early product marketed in 1957 under the name Lipomul was briefly used in the United States but was subsequently withdrawn due to side effects.

[7] In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration initially declined to approve the product due to prior experience with another fat emulsion.

The rapid return of myocardial blood supply is critical in order to save the ischemic heart, but it also has the potential to create injury due to oxidative damage (via reactive oxygen species) and calcium overload.

[9] The mitochondrial accumulation of acylcarnitines (primarily palmitoyl-carnitine) inhibits the electron transport chain at complex IV, generating protective ROS.