Lidocaine clearance test may reflect the integrity of various oxidative pathways of hepatocytes. Lidocaine is a highly sensitive indicator of hepatic dysfunction. This test is applicable to assessment of stage and prognosis of the liver disease, to timing of the liver transplantation, and to assessment of the pretransplant prognosis in the end-stage of chronic liver disease. Formation of the major lidocain metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MRGX) depends on the hepatic cytochrome P-450 activity and on the liver blood flow.

        Key words: lidocaine, monoethylglycinexylidide, liver function, liver transplantation.