[Efficacy of intra-arterial lidocaine in the control of pain in arteriography of the arm and leg (author's transl)].

The efficacy of addition of lidocaine to the conventional contrast medium has been statistically verified by the results of angiography of 342 legs and 25 arms. The investigation is painless or only slightly painful for most patients but the feeling of heat cannot be eliminated. A higher dose of lidocaine and the preliminary injection of Valium certainly improve the results of the investigation slightly, but give rise to a higher incidence of side-effects (fall in blood pressure, sleepiness). Serious complication have not been observed even in the large number of patients with risk factors.