[Effects of lidocaine on intramural circulation in isolated rabbit heart ventricle preparations]

Mapping was used on isolated rabbit ventricular specimens to study effects of lidocaine, 2-8 mg/l, on persistent intramural reentry involving the areas of slow transmural conduction. The agent was shown to produce antiarrhythmic and arrhythmogenic effects at the same time. Lidocaine reduced the duration of an arrhythmia, but provoked its initiation. Both these effects of lidocaine were attributable to its action on the refractory period of a slow transmural conduction area.