Potential hazards and applications of lithium in anesthesiology
The element lithium (Li) is ubiquitous in nature, yet only in the last decade has its use as a therapeutic agent been approved in the United States. Although it is a simple element Li's pharmacologic mechanism of action remains to be fully understood, and as its therapeutic use becomes more widespread, it poses particular hazards for the anesthesiologist. This short review is meant to inform, as well as to help guide the anesthesiologist in his approach to a patient receiving Li treatment. Moreover, possible new applications for Li in anesthesiology are discussed.