[Hemodynamic effects of propofol used alone for the induction of anesthesia]

Haemodynamic effects of propofol were studied during induction of anaesthesia, in 20 patients undergoing abdominal aortic replacement. Eight of them suffered from coronary arterial disease. Propofol was used at a dose of 2 mg X kg-1. During 5 min after propofol administration, no drug was administered. Neither plasma expansion nor tracheal intubation were carried out. Haemodynamic changes were: 17% decrease in systolic arterial pressure, and 13% decrease in diastolic arterial pressure, associated with a 12% decrease in cardiac output and 7% decrease in systemic vascular resistances; no change in heart rate in spite of the decrease in arterial pressure; and a mild increase in diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure. Left ventricular systolic work and rate pressure product decreased, suggesting a favourable incidence in coronary disease by lowering myocardial oxygen consumption. Nevertheless, it must be considered that, in the group studied, patients with coronary disease receiving beta-blocking drugs were excluded. So, mild haemodynamic changes observed here have to be confirmed in patients suffering from more severe coronary arterial disease.