COMPUTER CONTROLLED INFUSION OF PROPOFOL

A computer controlled infusion pump was used to deliver propofolto two groups of eight patients undergoing body surface surgery.The patients were premedicated with morphine sulphate i.m. andanaesthesia was supplemented with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen.Patients in group 1 breathed spontaneously, whereas patientsin group 2 underwent artificial ventilation to a normal Pa_co2.The computer program was designed to achieve and maintain ablood concentration of propofol 3 µg ml^–1 as rapidlyas possible, basing calculations on a three-compartment pharmacokineticmodel. Mean blood propofol concentrations were found to be closeto the predicted target from 10 to 120 min in group 1, but were5–20% higher from 20 min in group 2. ^*Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital(Wonford), Barrack Road, Exeter, Devon.Department of Anaesthetics, Weston General Hospital, WestonGeneral Hospital, Weston Super Mare, Devon.