Effects of articaine on intrapulpal, mandibular, and femoral pressures in dogs.

Articaine, a new local anesthetic and the first substance of the amide type with a thiophene ring, has been studied to evaluate its effects on intrapulpal blood pressure (IPP) and mandibular and femoral pressures (MAP, FAP) after injections in the posterior mental foramen (PMF). Eight mongrel dogs of either sex, 9-12 months of age weighing from 15-25 kg were anesthetized. The PMF and the middle foramen were uncovered to expose the vascular-nerve bundle. The mandibular artery was dissected, cannulated, and filled with a heparinized normal saline solution. A 27-gauge needle was placed into the PMF for the injections of the local anesthetic. Into the ipsilateral canine, a cannula hermetically sealed and filled with heparinized saline solution was inserted. All hemodynamic measurements (IPP, MAP, FAP) were recorded with a precalibrated polygraph. The results obtained allow us to conclude that articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:100,000 injected in the PMF (0.3 ml), produces a drop of the intrapulpal blood pressure due to a strong vasoconstriction, whereas this effect is less pronounced at the MAP level and almost inexistent in the FAP.