title: Drug-induced vasodilation in an in vitro and in vivo study: the effects of nicardipine, papaverine, and lidocaine on the rabbit carotid artery.
abstract: Extreme arterial vasoconstriction (vasospasm) is a common problem encountered in microvascular surgery. An ideal pharmacologic tool able to counteract ischemia during microsurgery should be easy to apply and exert its action both locally and distally in the microcirculation of the flap. We have compared in vitro and in vivo vascular properties of nicardipine, papaverine, and lidocaine in the rabbit carotid artery. In vitro, rings from the rabbit carotid artery (n = 7) were bathed in Krebs-Ringers solution and stretched progressively to an optimal tension of 3.7 to 4.2 g. The specimens were contracted with norepinephrine (1 microM), and a cumulative dose response curve was established. In vivo, microvascular anastomoses were performed bilaterally in the rabbit carotid artery in 35 animals using 9-0 nylon suture and standard microsurgical techniques. During and after the anastomoses, nicardipine (0.1, 0.01 mg topical, or 0.1 mg/hour IV), papaverine (30 mg/cc topical), and lidocaine (2% with and without epinephrine) were applied (blinded) at the anastomotic site in five rabbits each. Heparinized sodium chloride was used as topical irrigation for control and to clean the anastomosis. Blood flow changes were monitored continuously with the transonic Doppler for 30 minutes after the procedure. The systemic blood pressure was also monitored in a group of pilot experiments. A documented decrease in blood flow was noted in all animals after the microvascular anastomosis. Nicardipine and papaverine evoked a concentration-dependent relaxation to precontracted rings to norepinephrine. Nicardipine was greater than papaverine in inducing relaxation. Lidocaine demonstrated a biphasic response with low concentrations potentiating contraction. Systemic nicardipine and papaverine significantly increased the blood flow in the rabbit carotid artery. Topical application of nicardipine and lidocaine did not significantly alter the blood flow; however, the application of nicardipine demonstrates a trend toward increased flow. Lidocaine with epinephrine significantly decreased the blood flow. No drug was found to alter the blood pressure of the animals. Our results demonstrate that nicardipine and papaverine seem to be pharmacologic tools able to increase the blood flow in anastomotic arteries. In contrast, the use of 2% lidocaine as a spasmolytic agent should be re-evaluated, since this substance may act as a partial agonist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gherardini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gürlek
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Langstein
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Joly
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cromeens
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sukumaran
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Kilbourn
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundeberg
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008866:Microsurgery; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C051865:Krebs-Ringer solution; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008012:Lidocaine; D009529:Nicardipine; D010208:Papaverine; D009638:Norepinephrine