Pharmacokinetics of lidocaine after prolonged intravenous infusions in uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

The kinetics of the elimination of lidocaine upon discontinuation of lidocaine infusions lasting more than 24 h were studied in 12 patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarctions. In this group of patients the mean half-life of the elimination phase was found to be 3.22 h. This is significantly different from the half-life of 100 min that has been reported after bolus injections or infusions lasting less than 12 h. This longer half-life should be taken into consideration in estimating the duration of toxicity and the rate of administration of the drug during and after intravenous infusions lasting 24 h or more.