Efficacy of intra-arterial lidocaine infusion in the treatment of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

Background: Disturbances in pancreatic microcirculation, beginning with vasoconstriction, are crucial in early pancreatitis and progression to necrotizing pancreatitis. Thus, vascular-targeted treatment aiming to restore a sufficient level of microcirculation through vasodilation would possibly reduce the severity of pancreatitis. Lidocaine is an anti-arrhythmic and local anesthetic drug, which also acts as a vasodilator at higher concentrations.