Hemodynamic and respiratory changes in class I obese versus normal weight patients following propofol induction of...

Physiological responses to propofol may defer in class 1 obesity compared to patients of normal weight. To aid decision-making and ensure safety in patients with class 1 obesity, it is important to study their haemodynamic and respiratory responses to propofol.

We aimed to evaluate the haemodynamic and respiratory responses to propofol induction in patients with class 1 obesity in comparison to those with normal weight.

Seventy patients aged 18-60 years scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia were recruited and assigned equally to two groups based on the body mass index. All patients received intravenous propofol at 40 mg every 10 s until loss of consciousness. The mean dose of propofol was 132.71 ± 19.30 mg in the obese group and 128.57 ± 27.24 mg in the normal weight group. The blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and end tidal carbon dioxide were documented at a 2-min interval.

At loss of consciousness, mean systolic blood pressure increased significantly in group O (P = 0.03) but decreased in group N (P = 0.31). The mean heart rate increased in both groups, P = 0.04 in group O and 0.14 in N. Mean end tidal carbon dioxide decreased in group O (P = 0.04), but increased in group N (P = 0.15).At loss of consciousness, group O had significantly higher arterial oxygen saturation and diastolic blood pressure, and the mean arterial pressure did not differ in both groups. Two minutes after induction of anaesthesia, mean blood pressures increased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the end tidal carbon dioxide, occurrence of apnoea, and shallow breathing within 10 min of induction between both groups.

Haemodynamic and respiratory parameters remained comparable and within desirable limits following propofol induction in patients with class 1 obesity and normal weight patients.