Abstract
The effects of various concentrations of bupivacaine on the characteristics of the slow-inward current (isi) were studied over a ten-minute period on isolated frog atria. At a concentration of 10− 7 M, bupivacaine did not modify isi. At 10− 6 M, the maximal amplitude of the slow-inward current (i max) was depressed by 11 per cent. At 10− 5 M, i max was depressed by 24.5 per cent, the time-to-peak current value (tpeak) was increased by 13.4 per cent and the inactivation time constant (τ in) by 29.8 per cent. At 10− 4 M, i max was depressed by 32.9 per cent, tpeak increased by 30.4 per cent and τ in by 58.7 per cent. In conclusion, bupivacaine produced only moderate inhibition of the slow-inward current. The findings might explain the decline in sinus impulse formation with sinus bradycardia, and the slowing of atrio-ventricular node conduction produced by bupivacaine. However, the decrease in contractility previously reported does not seem to be due only to inhibition of the slow-inward current.
Résumé
Les effets de la bupivacaine sur les caractéristiques du courant entrant lent (isi) ont été étudiés sur une période de 10 min à différentes concentrations sur l’oreillette isolée de grenouille. A 10− 7 M aucune modification de isi n’est constatée. A 10− 6 M, l’amplitude maximale de isi (i max) est diminuée de 11 pour cent. A 10− 5 i max diminue de 24.5 pour cent, le temps au pic (τ pic) augmente de 13.4 pour cent et la constante de temps d’inactivation (τ in) de 29.8 pour cent. A 10− 4 M, i max diminue de 32.9 pour cent, t pic augmente de 30.4 pour cent et τ in de 58.7 pour cent. En conclusion, la bupivacaïne inhibe le courant entrant lent d’une manière peu importante. Ceci peut expliquer les anomalies constatées au niveau de la baisse de l’influx sinusal et du ralentissement de la conduction dans le nœud auriculo-ventriculaire. Cependant, la baisse importante de la contractilité constatée dans la littérature ne semble pas être due à l’inhibition de ce courant.
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de La Coussaye, J.E., Massé, C., Bassoul, B.P. et al. Bupivacaine-induced slow-inward current inhibition: a voltage clamp study on frog atrial fibres. Can J Anaesth 37, 819–822 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03006545
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03006545