The hemodynamic effects of continuous intravenous infusion of propofol at higher rates

The new formula of propofol was introduced in 1985. Because of its characteristics of rapid onset and elimination, it was often used as a drug of induction and maintenance of total intravenous anesthesia. However, the hemodynamic effects of propofol was still controversial. The present study was to observe its hemodynamic reactions at higher infusion rate. Hemodynamic studies were performed in 11 female patients, 17 to 54 years old, ASA class I-II, presenting for major lower abdominal operation. Patients with heart, lung, liver, or endocrine disease were excluded. No premedication was given before anesthesia. A radial arterial line and a swan-ganz catheter were inserted under local anesthesia. Cardiac output (CO), arterial blood pressure (ABP), central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were obtained before induction to foster systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), left ventricular systolic work index (LVSWI), right ventricular systolic work index (RVSWI), and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI), cardiac index (CI) by an H/p computer analyzer. Propofol (2 mg/kg) was combined with succinylcholine (1.5 mg/kg) for induction. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol and norcuron. The infusion rates of propofol were 10 mg/kg/hr during the first 30 minutes and 8 mg/kg/hr during the following 30 minutes, norcuron, 0.1 mg/kg initially and 1 mg for maintenance after 30 minutes. Normal saline was infused 1000 to 1500 ml in study period to maintain higher preload. Post induction hemodynamic data were collected at the 5th, 15th, 30th, 60th min after induction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)