title: Primary evaluation of the local anaesthetic properties of the amino amide agent ropivacaine (LEA 103).
abstract: The local anaesthestic properties of 1-propyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidide, a congener of mepivacaine and bupivacaine, and its enantiomers were compared in animals. The (S)-enantiomer (ropivacaine, LEA 103) produced a longer duration of sciatic nerve block and infiltration anaesthesia than the racemate and the (R)-form. Ropivacaine and bupivacaine were equally potent in terms of block of evoked action potential in vitro and minimum effective concentration in vivo. Ropivacaine 0.25-1.0% was distinctly longer acting than bupivacaine on infiltration, equally effective in sciatic and brachial plexus block and somewhat shorter lasting in epidural and spinal blockade. There were tendencies towards a greater benefit from the addition of adrenaline with ropivacaine in epidural anaesthesia and a shorter latency to block in some of the tests. Ropivacaine seems less vasodilative than bupivacaine and capable of producing some vasoconstriction over a wider range of low concentrations, which may explain its longer duration of intradermal anaesthesia. The somewhat shorter duration of central blockade of ropivacaine is probably a result of lesser lipid solubility. Ropivacaine was less toxic (i.v. and s.c. LD50-values) than bupivacaine but more toxic than lidocaine, and produced only weak local irritation. Due to a combination of interesting local anaesthetic properties and relative safety including cardiotoxic potential, we consider ropivacaine a candidate for further studies.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Laboratories, Astra Alab AB, Södertälje, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akerman
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hellberg
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trossvik
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002045:Bupivacaine; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008012:Lidocaine; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009407:Nerve Block; D011817:Rabbits; D011894:Rana pipiens; D000077212:Ropivacaine
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D008012:Lidocaine; D002045:Bupivacaine