Determination of lidocaine concentrations producing therapeutic and toxic effects in dogs

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Abstract
Lidocaine was infused at a fixed zero-order rate to 8 healthy mongrel dogs until tonic extension (no. = 5) and cortical seizures (no. = 7) were produced. Lidocaine concentrations determined at 5-min intervals were used to calculate concentrations at which these effects occurred. The tonic extension phase occurred at a mean lidocaine concentration of 8.21 .+-. 1.69 .mu.g/ml. After a 1-mo. rest period, the same dogs were anesthetized and ventricular tachycardia was produced by administering ouabain. Lidocaine was again infused at a fixed zero-order rate until all beats of ventricular origin were abolished. This occurred at a mean lidocaine concentration of 6.25 .+-. 1.49 .mu.g/ml.