[Effect of proteinemia on recovery: a comparison between thiopentone and alphaxolone (althesin)]

The effect of proteinaemia and albuminaemia changes on recovery time following administration of an equipotent dose (DPC95) of thiopentone and alphaxolone has been evaluated. The study was carried out on two groups of 24 patients premedicated with atropine alone. Recovery time was more closely related to variations in albuminaemia compared to variations in total proteins: this results that albumins are the main binding-site of i.v. anaesthetics. Variations in total proteins and albuminaemia affect recovery time to a lesser extent when alphaxolone is used, compared with thiopentone. The result is related to the lower alphaxolone binding fraction. The clinical implications of protein binding fraction of anaesthetics is discussed.