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Biomedical subjects

H S Feldman

Publications and source records attributed to H S Feldman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regional distribution of 11C-labeled lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine in the heart, lungs, and skeletal muscle of pigs studied with positron emission tomography.

The regional myocardial uptake and kinetics of 11C-lidocaine, 11C-bupivacaine, and 11C-ropivacaine were examined in the pig, utilizing positron emission tomography to determine whether disproportionate distribution exists among these agents. The three drugs were rapidly distributed to the myocardium and lung with mean peak radioactivities occurring between 0.35 and 0.48 min post-injection in myocardium and 0.35 and 0.65 min in lung. Radioactivities peaked later in skeletal muscle than in the myocardium and lung, occurring between 1.1 and 2.7 min post-end injection. Blood radioactivities for bupivacaine and ropivacaine were significantly higher than those of lidocaine, whereas myocardial, lung, and muscle uptakes for the three agents were not significantly different. Myocardium-blood partition coefficients were similar for bupivacaine and ropivacaine (0.55 and 0.49 respectively), while it was three times higher for lidocaine (1.4). A similar relationship existed for skeletal muscle- and lung-blood partition coefficients. Bupivacaine and ropivacaine t1/2z in skeletal muscle were significantly longer than those of lidocaine. The results of this study indicate that the increased cardiotoxicity associated with bupivacaine does not appear to be related to disproportionate distribution in the myocardium when compared to lidocaine and ropivacaine.

Amides↗

Neurophysiologic actions and neurological consequences of veratridine on the rat sciatic nerve.

BACKGROUND: The quest for a drug that would provide analgesia with minimal motor deficiency, through the selective inhibition of impulses in small-diameter fibers, was brightened by a previous report of veratridine's C-fiber-selective actions on the isolated rabbit vagus nerve. The goal of the present research was to demonstrate the same actions on rat sciatic nerve in vitro and to observe the functionally differential blockade in the rat in vivo. METHODS: Sciatic nerves were removed from rats, mounted in a recording chamber, wherein a 1-cm length of the ensheathed nerve was superfused with the plant alkaloid veratridine (2 microM) in bicarbonate-buffered Liley's solution, and the compound action potential (CAP) was stimulated supramaximally to give A- and C-fiber elevations. Onset, steady-state, and recovery from veratridine effects were assayed for a range of stimulus frequencies. Open-field behavior and quantitative neurological assessments of proprioception, motor function, and nociception were tested in 15 trained rats after injection near the sciatic nerve of 0.1 ml veratridine at 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mM each plus epinephrine (1:200,000). RESULTS: Veratridine inhibited the C-fiber component of the CAP in a frequency-dependent manner. At 0.1 Hz the CAP was 65% of the control amplitude, 50% at 0.5 Hz, and 40% at 5 Hz. A-fiber elevations were unattenuated at stimulus frequencies as high as 50 Hz. Steady-state inhibition was reached 5 min after drug administration, and recovery from the effects was 30% complete by 15 min of drug washout. Proprioception, measured as a "hopping" or "placing" reaction, was inhibited dose dependently by maximum degree and for durations of, respectively, 0.5 mM, 61%, 180 min; 0.7 mM, 100%, 360 min; and 1 mM, 100%, 420 min. Extensor postural thrust, as a measure of motor function, was inhibited by and for 0.5 mM, 77%, 240 min; 0.7 mM, 99%, 390 min; and 1 mM, 100%, 420 min. Analgesia, as a prolonged withdrawal latency to a noxious thermal stimulus, had the following profile: 0.5 mM, 10%, 30 min; 0.7 mM, 52%, 150 min; and 1 mM, 66%, 150 min. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that veratridine gave a C-fiber preferential blockade in the isolated sciatic nerve, heightened analgesia over motor block was not achieved in vivo. Indeed, just the opposite occurred. If preferential C-fiber blockade also occurs in vivo, then its traditionally expected correlation with analgesia must be re-examined.

Action Potentials↗

Lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial depression is not mediated by cyclooxygenase products.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We tested the hypothesis that a sublethal dose of lipopolysaccharide in vivo induces in vitro atrial depression in rats via release of cyclooxygenase products. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (mean weight 366 +/- 9 [SE] g) were injected iv at time 0 with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg, n = 22) or saline (2.5 mL, n = 11). Some animals injected with lipopolysaccharide were pretreated 30 mins before with ibuprofen (15 mg/kg, n = 7). At time 2 hrs, the hearts were harvested and the atria were immersed in tissue baths and attached to force displacement transducers. Blood was collected for measurement of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) by radioimmunoassay. Force of contraction and rate in response to four different preloads were measured. Afterward, the preload was changed to 1 g, and force of contraction and rate were evaluated in response to graded doses of isoproterenol. RESULTS: Force of contraction was significantly (p less than .05) lower at all preloads in animals given lipopolysaccharide. Pretreatment with ibuprofen did not prevent the depression in force of contraction but prevented the increase in TxB2 seen after lipopolysaccharide injection (p less than .05). The force of contraction and rate response to isoproterenol were similar across groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that cyclooxygenase products do not mediate lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction in the rat.

Animals↗

Treatment of acute systemic toxicity after the rapid intravenous injection of ropivacaine and bupivacaine in the conscious dog.

Two groups of six beagle dogs received rapid intravenous (IV) injections of ropivacaine or bupivacaine on two occasions in a blinded random fashion. Initially, a dose sufficient to cause convulsions (CD) was given followed by twice the CD (2 x CD), which was administered 48 h later. The CD of bupivacaine (4.3 mg/kg) and ropivacaine (4.9 mg/kg) caused significant (P less than 0.05) increases in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. There was no difference between drug groups. Seizures were abolished by 10 mg/kg of intravenous thiamylal. Endotracheal intubation and controlled respiration with O2-enriched air with no other treatment resulted in rapid and complete recovery in all dogs. All dogs receiving 2 x CD of bupivacaine (8.6 mg/kg) or ropivacaine (9.8 mg/kg) were initially treated with thiamylal and mechanical ventilation. Two dogs in the bupivacaine group developed hypotension, respiratory arrest, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation, which were resistant to closed chest cardiac massage, treatment with epinephrine, bretylium, and atropine, and direct current cardioversion. The four remaining dogs in the infusion group were successfully resuscitated. All of the animals in the ropivacaine-treated group survived the administration of the 2 x CD dose. Mild hypotension developed in one dog and was treated with intravenous epinephrine (0.75 mg). This resulted in nodal tachycardia, which was abolished after treatment with bretylium. Another dog had two 1-s bursts of premature ventricular contractions requiring no treatment. The rapid treatment of convulsions and cardiovascular toxicity resulted in a decreased number of deaths in both groups when compared with dogs from a previously published study in which no therapy was instituted. Thus, early aggressive treatment of central nervous system and cardiovascular system toxicity is capable of reducing the incidence of mortality associated with the rapid intravenous administration of excessive doses of local anesthetics.

Amides↗

Endotoxin-induced myocardial depression in rats: effect of ibuprofen and SDZ 64-688, a platelet activating factor receptor antagonist.

We tested the hypothesis that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial dysfunction is mediated by cyclooxygenase-derived metabolites of arachidonic acid or platelet activating factor (PAF). Ether-anesthetized rats were injected iv with normal saline (NS; 2.5 ml/kg), ibuprofen (cyclooxygenase inhibitor; 15 mg/kg), or SDZ 64-688 (PAF receptor antagonist; 5 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, the rats were injected iv with NS (5 ml/kg) or Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS (20 mg/kg). Two hours later, atria were harvested, connected to an isometric force transducer-amplifier-recorder apparatus, and maintained in vitro in oxygenated 37.5 degrees C Krebs--Henseleit buffer. Force of contraction indexed to body weight (FOCI; g/kg) was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in the NS/LPS group (N = 7) than in the NS/NS group (N = 7). Pretreatment with ibuprofen (ibuprofen/LPS group; N = 8) did not affect the adverse effect of LPS on atrial FOCI. In contrast, pretreatment with SDZ 64-688 (64-688/LPS group; N = 8) ameliorated (P less than 0.05) the deleterious effect of LPS on contractility. The PAF antagonist did not manifest intrinsic positive inotropic activity (64-688/NS group; N = 8). These results support the notion that LPS-induced myocardial dysfunction in the rat is mediated, at least in part, by PAF.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Comparative systemic toxicity of convulsant and supraconvulsant doses of intravenous ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine in the conscious dog.

This study evaluated the systemic toxicity, arrhythmogenicity, and mode of death of convulsant and supraconvulsant doses of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine. Experiments in awake dogs were designed to mimic the clinical situation of an accidental intravenous (IV) injection of local anesthetics. On the first experimental day, lidocaine (8 mg.kg-1.min-1), bupivacaine (2 mg.kg-1.min-1), and ropivacaine (2 mg.kg-1.min-1) were infused intravenously until seizures occurred (n = 6 for each group). The average dose and arterial plasma concentration at seizure onset was 20.8 +/- 4.0 mg/kg and 47.2 +/- 5.4 micrograms/mL for lidocaine, 4.31 +/- 0.36 mg/kg and 18.0 +/- 2.7 micrograms/mL for bupivacaine, and 4.88 +/- 0.47 mg/kg and 11.4 +/- 0.9 micrograms/mL for ropivacaine. The margin of safety between the convulsive and lethal doses was determined by administering two times the convulsive dose 24 h later. Two dogs given lidocaine died because of progressive hypotension, respiratory arrest, and finally cardiovascular collapse with an average peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 469 micrograms/mL. No ventricular arrhythmias were observed in this group. Ventricular arrhythmias occurred in five of six dogs receiving bupivacaine. Four animals died because of hypotension, respiratory arrest, and cardiovascular collapse. One additional animal died because of ventricular fibrillation. The Cmax for bupivacaine was 70.1 +/- 14.6 micrograms/mL in nonsurvivors. In the ropivacaine group one animal died because of hypotension, respiratory arrest, and cardiovascular collapse (Cmax = 72.4 micrograms/mL). A surviving dog had transient premature ventricular contractions. Twenty-four hours later three times the convulsive dose was administered to the survivors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amides↗

Alterations in the pharmacokinetic properties of amide local anaesthetics following local anaesthetic induced convulsions.

The comparative pharmacokinetic properties of lidocaine, bupivacaine, etidocaine and mepivacaine were investigated in convulsing and non-convulsing dogs. The same dose of a given local anaesthetic was administered as either a 30-s intravenous (IV) bolus to produce convulsions or as a 15-min IV infusion producing no convulsions. Derived pharmacokinetic data were found to be different in convulsing and non-convulsing animals. Total body clearance was found to be significantly reduced for lidocaine (29%, P less than 0.05), bupivacaine (31%, P less than 0.05), etidocaine (60%, P less than 0.01) and mepivacaine (68%, P less than 0.01) in convulsing animals. Increases in elimination half-life only achieved statistical significance in mepivacaine-treated animals (non-convulsing 45.2 min, convulsing 105.4 min, P less than 0.01). Overall, the most profound effects of convulsions on pharmacokinetic data were seen with mepivacaine. Convulsions were associated with increases in heart rate ranging from 117% (lidocaine, P less than 0.05) to 129% (mepivacaine, P less than 0.05), increases in cardiac output ranging from 78% (mepivacaine) to 232% (bupivacaine, P less than 0.05) and increases in mean arterial pressure ranging from 45% (lidocaine, P less than 0.05) to 80% (bupivacaine, P less than 0.05). The results suggest that when local anaesthetic-induced seizures occur in man, it cannot be assumed that these drugs will be distributed and eliminated as predicted by intravenous infusion of non-toxic doses.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Comparative motor-blocking effects of bupivacaine and ropivacaine, a new amino amide local anesthetic, in the rat and dog.

Ropivacaine (S-(-)-1-propyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidide) is a new local anesthetic that is structurally related to mepivacaine and bupivacaine. The comparative effects of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on motor function were assessed in the laboratory rat and dog. (It was not possible to accurately evaluate sensory blockade in these models.) Several concentrations of both agents were injected in the region of the sciatic nerve of the rat and into the lumbar epidural or subarachoid space in the dog. Epidural blockade was also performed utilizing solutions of ropivacaine and bupivacaine which contained epinephrine (1:200,000). The rat sciatic block studies indicate that at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.75%, ropivacaine had a slightly shorter time of onset and duration of motor blockade than did bupivacaine. In the epidural and spinal studies in the dog, ropivacaine was less potent and had a shorter duration of motor blockade than did bupivacaine at equal drug concentrations. A 1.0% solution of ropivacaine produced epidural motor blockade similar in onset and duration to that achieved with a 0.75% solution of bupivacaine. Epinephrine did not significantly prolong the duration of motor blockade of either agent after epidural administration.

Amides↗

Comparative pharmacokinetics of bupivacaine and ropivacaine, a new amide local anesthetic.

The pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine, a new amide local anesthetic, and bupivacaine were determined in dogs after IV and epidural administration. After 15-minute IV infusions of 3.0 mg/kg ropivacaine (n = 6) and 3.4 mg/kg bupivacaine (n = 4), the maximum arterial concentrations (Cmax) of ropivacaine averaged 2.41 +/- 0.52 micrograms/ml compared with 3.35 +/- 0.16 micrograms/ml of bupivacaine. The elimination half life (t 1/2 beta) of ropivacaine (25.9 +/- 1.7 min) was significantly shorter than for bupivacaine (39.1 +/- 13.3 min) after IV infusion. This was reflected by mean clearance values (Cl) for ropivacaine of 41.1 +/- 8.2 ml.min-1.kg-1 compared with 32.3 +/- 4.8 ml.min-1.kg-1 for bupivacaine, although the difference was not statistically significant. After epidural injections (ropivacaine n = 6; bupivacaine n = 5), a dose-related increase in Cmax was observed with both drugs. Although Cmax tended to be higher for ropivacaine, a significant difference was only attained when comparing Cmax after administration of 0.25% plain solutions of both agents. The addition of epinephrine did not consistently decrease the Cmax of either agent. The apparent t 1/2 beta of both agents was significantly longer after epidural administration than after IV infusion. No differences existed between t 1/2 beta values for ropivacaine and bupivacaine after epidural administration. Total body clearance of both agents tended to be lower after epidural administration, particularly when epinephrine-containing solutions were employed. Little difference existed between the two drugs when equivalent solutions were administered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amides↗

Bupivacaine for intercostal nerve blocks in children: blood concentrations and pharmacokinetics.

A pharmacokinetic evaluation of bupivacaine was carried out after intercostal nerve blocks performed on 28 occasions in 27 children varying in age from 3 months to 16 yr. Bupivacaine HCl, 0.5%, with epinephrine 1:200,000 was employed. Doses of 2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, and 4 mg/kg resulted in peak whole blood arterial bupivacaine (base) concentrations (mean +/- SD) of 0.77 +/- 0.25 microgram/ml, 1.37 +/- 0.23 microgram/ml, and 1.87 +/- 0.53 microgram/ml, respectively. Calculated pharmacokinetic parameters (mean +/- SD) were the following: apparent volume of distribution (VD beta), 2.8 +/- 0.8 L/kg; steady-state volume of distribution (VDss), 2.7 +/- 0.7 L/kg; elimination half-life (t1/2 beta), 147 +/- 80 min; and total body clearance (Cl), 16.0 +/- 7.4 ml X min-1 X kg-1, or 382 +/- 201 ml X min-1 X m-2. Compared with data reported for adult patients, our data indicate that the volume of distribution is greater and clearance is more rapid in children than in adults. The absorption of local anesthetic from the intercostal space appears to be more rapid in children than adults. In an additional group of 11 children, the relationship of the bupivacaine blood:plasma concentration ratio (lambda) to hematocrit was investigated. Hematocrit in this group ranged from 30 to 59, and lambda varied from 0.47 to 0.82. There was a significant relationship between lambda and hematocrit defined by the equation lambda = -0.0079 Hct + 1.028 (r = 0.72, P less than 0.05). Reporting bupivacaine concentration in terms of plasma concentration may introduce an artifact that is dependent on the hematocrit, and we therefore suggest that whole blood concentration values be reported by investigators in the future.

Absorption↗

Bupivacaine toxicity in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes.

The relative central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity of bupivacaine was compared in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes during continuous infusion of bupivacaine into the jugular vein at the rate of 0.5 mg X kg-1 X min-1. In all animals, identical symptoms of toxicity occurred in the following order: convulsions, hypotension, respiratory arrest, and circulatory collapse. The dose of bupivacaine required to produce central nervous system (CNS) toxicity in the pregnant ewe tended to be lower than in the nonpregnant animal, although the difference was not statistically significant (P less than 0.1). However, the mean dose of bupivacaine resulting in cardiovascular collapse was significantly lower in pregnant ewes (5.1 +/- 0.7 mg/kg) than in nonpregnant animals (8.9 +/- 0.9 mg/kg). Similarly, bupivacaine blood concentrations at the onset of respiratory arrest and circulatory collapse were lower in the pregnant group, being 5.2 +/- 0.7 micrograms/ml and 5.5 +/- 0.8 micrograms/ml, respectively, versus 7.5 +/- 1.0 microgram/ml and 8.0 +/- 0.9 micrograms/ml, respectively, in the nonpregnant group (P less than 0.05). The concentration of bupivacaine in the brain of pregnant ewes at the time of cardiovascular collapse was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than in the nonpregnant group (7.5 +/- 1.5 vs. 16.3 +/- 1.7 micrograms/g). The myocardial tissue concentration of bupivacaine also tended to be lower in the pregnant group, although the differences were not statistically significant (P less than 0.1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Influence of lidocaine and bupivacaine on isolated guinea pig atria in the presence of acidosis and hypoxia.

In an isolated guinea pig atrial preparation, the bathing solution pH, PO2, and PCO2 were manipulated to mimic normal, acidotic, and hypoxic conditions. The effect of lidocaine and bupivacaine on spontaneous heart rate (HR) and contractile force (CF) was determined for 60 min under conditions of normal pH, PO2, and PCO2. Lidocaine (50 micrograms/ml) reduced HR by a maximum of 34.2 +/- 1.5% and CF by 38.9 +/- 8.1% (mean +/- SEM). Bupivacaine (5 micrograms/ml) reduced HR by a maximum of 30.1 +/- 1.9% and CF by 48.0 +/- 6.5%. Bupivacaine (10 micrograms/ml) caused a maximum HR reduction of 61.7 +/- 9.5% and CF reduction of 66.0 +/- 8.6%. Hypoxia or metabolic or respiratory acidosis did not further enhance the local anesthetic induced atrial depression. However, conditions of combined acidosis/hypoxia, while not significantly altering the HR and CF depression caused by lidocaine, did enhance bupivacaine-induced depression of HR and CF (93.6 +/- 6.3% and 95.2 +/- 4.8%, respectively). The effect of a protein-free bathing solution on the relative toxicities of lidocaine and bupivacaine is discussed.

Acidosis↗

Etidocaine toxicity in the adult, newborn, and fetal sheep.

The systemic toxicity of etidocaine was compared in adult, newborn, and fetal sheep during continuous infusion of the drug into the jugular vein at the rate of 0.5 mg X kg-1 X min-1. All recipients exhibited symptoms of toxicity in the following order: convulsions, hypotension, respiratory arrest, and circulatory collapse. The dose of etidocaine required to produce CNS and cardiovascular toxicity was significantly different among the three age groups, being the highest in the fetus and the lowest in the adult. In contrast, no significant difference in etidocaine blood concentrations at the onset of each toxic symptom was observed among the groups except that convulsions and hypotension occurred at lower blood levels in the fetus as compared with the newborn and adult. Comparisons of etidocaine blood concentrations associated with the onset of convulsions and circulatory collapse (CC/CNS ratio) with those of lidocaine reported previously indicate that a narrower margin exists in adults and newborn following administration of etidocaine.

Acetanilides↗

Comparative CNS toxicity of lidocaine, etidocaine, bupivacaine, and tetracaine in awake dogs following rapid intravenous administration.

The comparative central nervous system (CNS) toxicity of serially administered intravenous doses of lidocaine, bupivacaine, etidocaine, and tetracaine was investigated in awake dogs. The mean cumulative dose required for convulsive activity was 4.0 mg/kg tetracaine, 5.0 mg/kg bupivacaine, 8.0 mg/kg etidocaine, and 22.0 mg/kg lidocaine. The cumulative convulsive dose of lidocaine was significantly greater than that of the other three agents (P less than 0.01). A comparison of the in vivo anesthetic potency and the acute CNS toxicity of these various agents suggests little difference in the therapeutic ratio between less potent anesthetics such as lidocaine and more potent drugs, i.e., tetracaine, bupivacaine, and etidocaine. The relative CNS toxicity of the different agents as determined in awake dogs in this study was compared with their relative cardiovascular toxicity previously evaluated in a series of ventilated dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital. The dose of lidocaine, etidocaine, tetracaine, and bupivacaine required to produce irreversible cardiovascular depression was 3.5-6.7 times greater than that which produced convulsions. These results suggest that the CNS is the primary target organ for the toxic effects of both highly lipid-soluble and highly protein-bound local anesthetics (i.e., bupivacaine, etidocaine, and tetracaine) and less lipid-soluble and less protein-bound drugs (i.e., lidocaine) following rapid intravenous administration.

Acetanilides↗

Acute cardiovascular toxicity of intravenous amide local anesthetics in anesthetized ventilated dogs.

The acute intravenous cardiovascular toxicity of five amide local anesthetic agents was studied in intact, ventilated dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital. Minimal changes in various cardiovascular functions were seen at doses of 0.3 to 3.0 mg/kg. At 10 mg/kg profound hypotension accompanied by significant decreases in cardiac output and stroke volume were observed with etidocaine and bupivacaine. At this dose lidocaine, mepivacaine, and prilocaine produced moderate signs of cardiovascular depression. Myocardial depression appeared to be primarily responsible for the profound hypotension, as minimal changes in peripheral vascular resistance occurred except as a terminal event. Pulmonary vascular resistance tended to increase before myocardial depression, suggesting a pulmonary vasoconstrictor action of the anesthetics. The cumulative lethal dose varied from approximately 80 mg/kg for lidocaine and mepivacaine to 40 mg/kg for etidocaine and 20 mg/kg for bupivacaine. The acute cardiovascular toxicity of these agents is proportional to their comparative in vivo anesthetic potency which indicates little difference in therapeutic ratio between the various amide local anesthetics.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗

New antiarrhythmic agents. 4. 1'-(Aminoalkyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-1-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine-2',5'-dione derivatives.

A series of 33 1'-(Aminoalkyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-1-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine-2',5'-dione derivatives was tested for antiarrhythmic and toxic effects in mice and dogs. In mice, 31 compounds produced some protection against chloroform-induced tachyarrhythmias at subcutaneous doses of 100 mg/kg, and 6 compounds produced no detectable toxicity at doses protecting 80% or more of the animals. Seven of the more potent and nontoxic derivatives were tested in dogs with surgically induced myocardial infarctions. All produced distinct antiarrhythmic effects at doses considerably lower than doses of lidocaine or tocainide producing comparable effects. The principal toxic effects observed in dogs were convulsion and depression of intracardiac conduction; they occurred generally at higher doses than those leading to antiarrhythmic effect. Several compounds also suppressed digitalis-induced arrhythmias in anesthetized dogs. Half-lives and total body clearance in dogs were determined for three compounds; two had half-lives comparable to that of tocainide, a long-acting, orally active antiarrhythmic agent, in clinical trials.

Animals↗

A chronic model for investigation of experimental spinal anesthesia in the dog.

A chronic model for investigation of spinal anesthesia in the dog is described. This model incorporates the use of a chronically implanted catheter in the lumbar subarachnoid space. An 18-gauge thin-walled Crawford needle is passes percutaneously into the subarachnoid space. An 18-gauge epidural catheter is then threaded through the needle into the subarachnoid space and the distal end attached to a special metal valve which is sutured under the skin. One-milliliter volumes of various local anesthetic solutions were injected intrathecally via the valve and catheter. Durations of the effects of the local anesthetics were evaluated. Duration which hind-limb paralysis persisted in the dog. The times to onset and durations of motor blockades were evaluated following the intrathecal injection of dibucaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, and mepivacaine. Times to onset ranged from 1.1 to 2.3 min. Durations of motor blockade were longest for dibucaine and tetracaine, followed in order of decreasing duration by bupivacaine, lidocaine, chloroprocaine, and mepivacaine. The durations of subarachnoid conduction motor blockades in the dog are qualitatively similar to reported values for spinal anesthesia in man. Therefore, the technique described may provide a useful model to evaluate factors that may influence spinal anesthesia.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗