Lidocaine infusion in acute myocardial infarction. Effects on left ventricular function

The effects of lidocaine hydrochloride infusion (1 and 3 mg/min) on left ventricular (LV) function were assessed in 23 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There were no significant changes in heart rate, systemic arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, preejection period (PEP), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), the PEP/LVET ratio, or calculated systemic vascular resistance. Left ventricular pressures were obtained in six patients. There was no change in calculated LV stroke work. The LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was unchanged in five patients, but one patient had an increase of LVEDP and of mean aortic pressure that was not associated with changes in other recorded parameters. Lidocaine hydrochloride infusion at 1 and 3 mg/min in patients with AMI does not result in a measurable alteration of cardiac performance.