A simple and reliable RP-HPLC method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of ropivacaine and antipyrine in perfusate samples. Samples were analyzed on an ODS column with UV detection at 210 nm after liquid-liquid extraction. The mobile phase consisted of potassium dihydrogenphosphate (25 mM, adjusted to pH 5.0 with phosphoric acid)-acetonitrile (79:21, v/v). The method has been validated to be precise, accurate and linear. It has been applied to the investigation of placental transfer of ropivacaine via a dually perfused cotyledon model of human placenta in vitro.
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.