[Propofol infusion syndrome]

The propofol infusion syndrome is a rare but potentially lethal complication resulting from a prolonged continuous administration of propofol. It was first described in the beginning of the 1990's and in recent years there have been frequent reports of problems in association with the use of propofol sedation. The cardinal signs and symptoms of the propofol infusion syndrome are metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias and a progressive, often therapy-resistant cardiac failure. The pathophysiology of this syndrome appears to involve a disturbance of mitochondrial metabolism induced by propofol. Our report involves a case of propofol infusion syndrome in a patient having undergone cardiac surgery.