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Does Propofol Sedation Contribute to Overall Energy Provision in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Adults? A

Jennifer Hastings1, Emma J Ridley1,2,3, Oliver Bianchet1

  • 1Department of Intensive Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|August 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Propofol provides significant energy to ICU patients, contributing to higher energy balance. However, the proportion of energy from propofol was not linked to patient outcomes like mortality or length of stay.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Nutritional Support
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Propofol is frequently used for sedation in intensive care units (ICUs).
  • Propofol (1% solution) provides 1.1 kcal/mL, contributing to patient caloric intake.
  • The role of propofol as an energy source in critically ill patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the proportion of energy intake from propofol during the first five days of ICU admission.
  • To explore the association between propofol energy contribution and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective observational study was conducted in a quaternary ICU.
  • Inclusion criteria: ICU length of stay (LOS) ≥5 days, age ≥18 years, mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥5 days.
  • Outcome measures included propofol energy proportion, energy balance, hospital mortality, MV duration, and ICU LOS.

Main Results:

  • 370 patients were analyzed; 87.8% received propofol during days 1-5.
  • Propofol provided a median of 119 kcal/patient/day, representing 55.4% on day 1, decreasing to 7.9%-9.9% by days 4-5.
  • Patients receiving propofol had a higher proportion of prescribed energy intake (P < .01); no significant association with mortality, MV duration, or ICU LOS was found.

Conclusions:

  • Propofol significantly contributes to energy intake in critically ill patients during the first five ICU days.
  • Higher energy balance was observed in patients receiving propofol.
  • The proportion of energy from propofol was not associated with hospital mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, or ICU length of stay.
Abstract

Keywords:
critical illnessenergyintensive carenutritionpropofol

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