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 eight healthy mongrel dogs until tonic extension (n= 5) and cortical seizures (n= 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 μg/ml. After a 1‐month rest period, the same dogs were anaesthetized 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 μg/ml.