Lidocaine increases prostacyclin in the rat.

In the rat, the effect of intravenous lidocaine was evaluated on plasma prostacyclin concentration as well as the concentration of prostacyclin in aortic ring incubation chambers and in the effluent of isolated perfused lungs. Prostacyclin was assayed using a radioimmunoassay for its stable product 6-Keto PGF1 alpha. Lidocaine in therapeutic doses (2 mg/kg) will significantly increase 6-Keto PGF1 alpha in plasma as well as in aortic ring incubation chambers and in the effluent of isolated perfused lungs when compared to saline treated controls.