[Sensitization of bradycardia during final hypotension induced by serotonin in rats: effect of lidocaine]

It was studied the sensibilizing effect of lidocaine (8.5 mg/kg, i.v.) on the ECG (heart rate, P-R interval, QRS complex and Q-T interval) of both intact and bilaterally vagotomised rats, in the nadir of the final hypotension determined by serotonine (60 mug/kg, i.v.). The results showed (1) a certain degree of selectivity of the vagi, and (2) the effects of serotonine either isolated or associated to lidocaine on P-R interval and heart rate were reinforced when intact animals were used. Although no significant alterations of Q-T were elicited by the drugs, lidocaine surprisingly enlarged the QRS complex in a more significant fashion for the intact than for the vagotomised animals.