The effects of myocardial infarction (MI) on lidocaine disposition were investigated in eight patients during a constant infusion of 2 mg/min. Plasma lidocaine binding and total plasma and free lidocaine concentrations were measured 12, 24, 36, and 48 hr after beginning therapy and were related to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations. By 48 hr total plasma lidocaine and AAG concentrations had risen, as had plasma lidocaine binding. Because of enhanced binding, free lidocaine concentrations did not change significantly over this time. There was a correlation between AAG and the binding ratio for lidocaine (r = 0.87) and between AAG and total plasma lidocaine concentrations (r = 0.81). The data suggest that the rise in AAG seen after MI is responsible for enhanced plasma lidocaine binding and may, at least in part, be related to lidocaine cumulation.