[Hemodynamic effects of mexiletine and lidocaine in coronary surgery patients]

In two groups of 10 coronary bypass patients during the postoperative phase a comparison was carried out of the haemodynamic effects of mexiletine and lidocaine in order to evaluate mexiletine's applicability as an antiarrhythmic in intensive care patients. With mexiletine cardiac effort (CE) fell by 6%, total peripheral resistance (TPR) fell by 11%, while CO increased by 8%. With lidocaine CE and TPR remained unchanged, CO dropped by 4%. Mexiletine seems to be applicable in intensive care without hazards to circulation.