Toxicity and Distribution of Lidocaine in Nonasphyxiated and Asphyxiated Baboon Fetuses

Abstract

The dosage and blood concentration of lidocaine required to produce CNS and cardiovascular system toxicity in both nonasphyxiated and asphyxiated fetuses were determined in 10 pregnant baboons with fetuses of average gestation of 158 days (term, 185 days). Lidocaine was infused into the fetal jugular vein until cardiac arrest occurred, following which fetal brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were obtained. Mean dosage and blood concentration of lidocaine associated with seizures were 9.4 mg/kg and 15.2 .mu.g/ml, respectively, in the nonasphyxiated fetuses, and 3.9 mg/kg and 5.6 .mu.g/ml, respectively, in the asphyxiated ones. The dosage and blood concentration of the drug required to produce cardiac arrest were significantly higher in the nonasphyxiated group (35 mg/kg and 269 .mu.g/ml, respectively) compared to the asphyxiated group (9 mg/kg and 40 .mu.g/ml, respectively). Tissue-plasma ratios of lidocaine were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the brain, heart and liver of the asphyxiated fetuses as compared with the nonasphyxiated ones. The relative proportion of the injected dose found in the organs was also higher (P < 0.05) in the asphyxiated group. The increased sensitivity of the asphyxiated fetus to lidocaine may be related in part to a greater uptake of local anesthetics of the fetal organs.