[Severe lactic acidosis caused by propofol infusion: report of one case]

Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare but potentially lethal complications. This disorder is triggered under unknown circumstances by a propofol infusion of more than 5 mg/kg/h for more than 48 h. PRIS is characterized by a multiorgan failure and rhabdomyolysis and is induced by a disturbance in mitochondrial long chain fatty acid oxidation. We report a 43 year-old woman who underwent brain surgery due to a vascular malformation. In the immediate postoperative period, she had an unexplained and severe lactic acidosis. During anaesthesia, she received a propofol infusion of 7 mg/kg/h that continued in the UCI at a rate of 3.5 mg/kg/h, for 8 hours more. The suspicion of PRIS motivated immediate discontinuation of propofol with rapid correction of lactic acidosis and full recovery of the patient.