Accidental propofol infusion from a prefilled propofol syringe

Editor—Propofol, the most recently developed i.v. anaestheticagent, has been widely used since 1977.¹ It is available asa 1% solution in 20 ml clear glass ampoules, in 50 ml vials,and more recently in a prefilled syringe. There are two reportsof failed propofol injection with a prefilled syringe, bothassociated with disconnection of the plastic flange from the     

异丙酚输注综合征研究进展

由于其药效学和药代学特点,异丙酚已在临床上广泛使用,但使用过程中有可能发生异丙酚输注综合征.最新研究表明该综合征发生机制可能与异丙酚直接抑制线粒体呼吸链或损伤线粒体脂肪酸代谢有关.此文主要对异丙酚输注综合征的相关问题作一综述.     

Target-controlled infusion with propofol for neuro-anesthesia

Propofol is an intravenous anaesthetic agent, which presents interesting features for its use in neuro-anaesthesia: it is a powerful hypnotic that does not increase the intracranial pressure. The delay of recovery is short even after several hours of continuous infusion. This is essential for a fast neurologic examination. Continuous infusion should be preferred to bolus in order to prevent hypotension and decrease of the cerebral perfusion pressure. Target-controlled infusion models based on effect site concentrations are now available through several softwares. This technique appears especially useful for awake craniotomy and functional neurosurgery. The level of consciousness is easily fixed between deep anaesthesia and light sedation permitting to ask the patient to move following orders. A sedation controlled by the patient himself is even possible.     

Continuous infusion of propofol in dystrophia myotonica

The use of intravenous infusions of propofol and atracurium in a 41-year-old woman, weighing 64 kg, with dystrophia myotonica during major oral surgery is described. Propofol and atracurium, in total doses of 2488 mg and 75 mg respectively, were used during the four-hour procedure. There were no intraoperative problems and operating conditions were excellent. Emergence was rapid and there were no postoperative complications. This technique offers a safe alternative to inhalational anaesthesia for patients with dystrophia myotonica.     

Remifentanil concentration during target-controlled infusion of propofol

After institutional approval and with written informed consent, eight surgical patients were infused intravenously with remifentanil at 250 ngkg lean body mass (LBM)(-1) x min(-1) for 30 min. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were recorded and arterial blood samples were taken at regular intervals. In each patient, the same protocol was repeated 40 min later during propofol infused to a target concentration of 3.0 microg x ml(-1). Blood concentrations of remifentanil and propofol were assayed using capillary gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography techniques respectively. The number of subjects enrolled was determined by testing the successive areas under the remifentanil time-concentration curve (AUC) for significant difference or non-difference using sequential analysis. The median measured propofol concentration was 3.5 (range: 2.6-4.5) microg x ml(-1) which did not change significantly during the second remifentanil infusion. The median AUC during propofol infusion was greater than control in all subjects, although there was considerable variation of 94.4 (64.3-129.6) versus 64.6 (34.8-126.9) ng x ml(-1) x min; P=0.008, n=8. After 30 min, there was no significant difference in remifentanil concentration during propofol infusion when compared with remifentanil alone of 4.6 (3.2-5.7) versus 3.8 (1.6-4.9) ng x ml(-1); P=0.73, n=8. Co-administration of propofol and remifentanil may result in greater remifentanil concentrations than when remifentanil is infused alone.     

Target-controlled infusion of propofol for fibreoptic intubation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In a retrospective study, we examined the suitability of a departmental clinical protocol for anaesthesia induction with target-controlled infusion of propofol developed for fibreoptic intubation in spontaneously breathing patients scheduled for outpatient oral surgery at the dental clinic of the Vienna University Hospital. METHODS: Propofol was administered using target-controlled infusion (Diprifusor) at increasing target plasma concentrations starting at 2.5 microg mL(-1). After 10 min, an intravenous dose of alfentanil (5-10 microg kg(-1)) was given for pain reduction. After a further 2 min, the patient was evaluated for response to auditory stimulation. If unresponsive, fibreoptic intubation was performed, otherwise the target concentration was increased by 0.2 microg mL(-1) every 2 min until non-responsiveness was attained. RESULTS: Tracheal intubation was successful in all patients without any haemodynamic instability. However, one patient required facemask ventilation for 2 min. No patient was aware of intubation. The plasma concentration required for non-responsiveness was 2.8 +/- 0.4 microg mL(-1) (mean +/- SD). CONCLUSIONS: When using a target-controlled infusion of propofol, fibreoptic intubation can be performed with complete amnesia of the procedure for the patient. However, assisted ventilation of the lungs may be necessary as spontaneous ventilation may cease.     

Prolonged propofol infusion for mechanically ventilated children

We retrospectively analysed 30‐day mortality and duration of intubation for 8016 children ventilated for three or more days, sedated with midazolam (n = 7716) or propofol (n = 300). We matched the propensity scores of 263 pairs of children. The propensity‐matched 30‐day mortality (95% CI) was similar: 17/263 (6.5%) with midazolam vs. 24/263 (9.1%) with propofol, p = 0.26. Weaning from mechanical ventilation of children sedated with midazolam was slower than weaning of children sedated with propofol, subhazard ratio (95% CI) 1.43 (1.18–1.73), p < 0.001.