EFFECT OF LIDOCAINE ON IN-VIVO HEPATIC-FUNCTION

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.