Cumulative experience with propofol ('Diprivan') as an agent for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia

In 60 unpremedicated patients, anaesthesia induction time decreased when the time taken to inject a bolus of 2 mg/kg propofol was decreased from 60 s to 5 s. Apnoea at induction was noted in all groups but the degree of cardiorespiratory depression was not influenced by the rate of injection. In premedicated patients both 1.5 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg were effective doses for induction of anaesthesia. In comparison with thiopentone 4 mg/kg, propofol produced a greater degree of arterial hypotension and a smaller increase in heart rate. Preliminary results with an infusion of propofol for maintenance of anaesthesia suggest that rapid recovery can be achieved after operations of long duration.