Induction of anaesthesia by propofol and hepatic blood flow in the rabbit

Effects of propofol (12.5 mg kg-1, i.v. bolus injection) or 0.9% sodium chloride on arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gases and hepatic circulation (radio-labelled microsphere technique) were studied in 15 conscious and unpremedicated rabbits. No significant changes were observed after sodium chloride. Propofol resulted in anaesthesia, respiratory depression (-49 +/- 14% decrease in PaO2; mean +/- SD) and hypotension (-49 +/- 13% decrease in mean arterial pressure; mean +/- SD) but no changes in hepatic arterial and portal venous blood flows. We conclude that propofol does not affect the liver circulation despite marked depression of mean arterial pressure and respiration.