1991 Labat Lecture. The effect of local anesthetics on the peripheral vasculature.

The effects of local anesthetic agents on the peripheral vasculature are not uniform and not easily described. Factors governing these effects are as follows: the method of application (i.e., intravenously, intraarterially, or locally): When injected into the venous system, a stimulating effect (central nervous system effect) is usual, which dominates over a peripheral vasoconstriction effect; the concentration: Resistance to flow is reduced with high concentrations and vasoconstriction occurs with low concentrations; the target organ (e.g., skin, placenta, lungs, splanchnic bed, and spinal cord), which is significant; an anti-adrenaline-like effect; isomers, which can differ in their effect (mepivacaine, not bupivacaine). With these final comments I would like to conclude this presentation. I hope that it has been as stimulating for you as an audience as it has been for me in preparing it. I would again like to express my deep and sincere gratitude for the honor you have bestowed upon me and for the kind attention you have devoted to my lecture.