[Ropivacaine].
This paper describes the pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of ropivacaine on both an experimental and clinical level. Ropivacaine is an amide-type local anesthetic whose chemical structure is related to that of mepivacaine and bupivacaine and whose duration of effect falls between the two. Ropivacaine is a less potent effector of motor blockade than bupivacaine, and its toxic effects on the central nervous system and myocardial tissue is likewise less. Ropivacaine has been employed for epidural anesthesia and analgesia (including through a caudal approach), for peripheral motor blockade, for local infiltration (in gel form), and for intravenous regional anesthesia in ophthalmologic surgery involving peri- and retrobulbar blockade. Subarachnoid use has not yet been accepted in Spain, although phase IV clinical trials of this application have begun. Concentrations of 2 mg/ml (0.2%) and 7.5 mg/ml (0.75%) and 10 mg/ml (1%) are available in Spain.