During a femoral-to-femoral bypass, which drug is used to control vasospasms?

Papaverine is the drug specifically used to control vasospasms during procedures like a femoral-to-femoral bypass. It is a non-selective vasodilator that acts primarily on smooth muscle, promoting relaxation and thereby alleviating spasm in blood vessels. The administration of papaverine helps to ensure adequate blood flow during such surgical interventions, reducing the risk of ischemic complications.

In contrast, heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent clot formation, while protamine sulfate is employed to reverse the effects of heparin after a procedure. Lidocaine with epinephrine is typically used for local anesthesia; the epinephrine component serves to constrict blood vessels and prolong the anesthetic effect, which is opposite to the desired effect when managing vasospasm. Thus, papaverine is the most appropriate choice to mitigate vasospasms in the context of a femoral-to-femoral bypass.