Lidocaine is administered to assess donor or recipient liver function
during hepatic transplantation. This study was performed to determine
whether lidocaine administered at a constant concentration affected he
patic function or had demonstrable effects on hepatocellular ultrastru
cture. Fourteen pigs were randomly allocated to receive either a two-s
tage infusion of lidocaine hydrochloride or of saline. Transhepatic bl
ood samples were taken and ultrasonic portal venous and hepatic arteri
al bloodflow readings made on animals anesthetized with isoflurane in
nitrous oxide. Liver biopsies were taken for histological analysis and
determination of adenine nucleotide status prior to and after 2 hr of
the two-stage infusion. A mean systemic constant plasma lidocaine con
centration of 5.9 mu g/ml was achieved during the second hour of infus
ion . There were no differences between the two groups in a large numb
er of indices of hepatic function and plasma composition prior to and
during the second hour of the respective infusions. Hepatic blood flow
was also similar at these times. On histological examination there we
re no electron microscopic changes that could be specifically attribut
ed to the administration of lidocaine. However, there were progressive
changes with time. This study suggests that in anesthetized pigs a co
nstant lidocaine concentration of about 6 mu g/ml has no detrimental e
ffect on hepatic function. Progressive hepatic ultrastructural changes
occurred that could not be attributed to the administration of lidoca
ine. These may be the result of anesthetic administered or the surgery
performed.