Cardiovascular effects of propofol in the anaesthetized dog

This study was designed to investigate if propofol produced cardiovascular effects by direct actions or by indirect actions secondary to depression of the central nervous system. Experiments were performed on chloralose anaesthetized dogs in which all neurogenic cardiovascular reflexes were abolished by bilateral vagotomy and common carotid ligatures, in combination with i.v. bretylium and propranolol. Bolus doses of propofol followed by infusions at rates up to 160 mg kg-1 h-1 produced blood concentrations of propofol from 1.99 to 112 micrograms ml-1. Infusions of hydroxyethyl starch given to maintain central venous pressures and pulmonary artery occlusion pressures at control values were used as an index of changes in capacitance. Blood concentrations of propofol less than 10 micrograms ml-1 caused an increase in mean capacitance of 8.0 (SEM 1) ml kg-1 with no significant changes in systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance or inotropic state of the heart. We conclude that anaesthesia with propofol may be accompanied by decreased cardiac output secondary to reduction in preload by a direct venodilator effect. Our experiments indicate that cardiac output and arterial pressure are preserved well at normal anaesthetic blood concentrations of propofol if the preload is maintained.