When a patient is prescribed Lidocaine, what condition is it primarily treating?

Lidocaine is primarily used to treat arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats that can lead to decreased cardiac efficiency and can be life-threatening if not managed properly. As a class 1b antiarrhythmic agent, Lidocaine works by stabilizing the cardiac membrane and inhibiting abnormal electrical activity in the heart, helping to restore a normal rhythm.

In the context of the conditions listed, while coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension are significant cardiovascular issues, they are not the primary indications for Lidocaine therapy. Coronary artery disease refers to a narrowing of the coronary arteries, heart failure is a condition where the heart does not pump effectively, and hypertension is high blood pressure. None of these conditions directly benefit from the specific antiarrhythmic properties of Lidocaine, highlighting why antiarrhythmics like Lidocaine are distinctively targeted toward managing arrhythmias.