An investigation of the pharmacokinetic profile of propofol ('Diprivan') after administration for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia by repeat bolus doses in patients having spinal anaesthetic block
Knell, P.J.; McKean, J.F.
Postgraduate Medical Journal 61(Suppl 3): 60-61
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5473 PMID: 3877296 Document Number: 260083
In 12 premedicated patients, spinal anaesthesia was established with 0.5% bupivacaine. General anaesthesia was then induced using 2.5 mg/kg propofol given over 20s, and maintained by the administration of repeated bolus doses of 1 mg/kg propofol given 3 min after induction and at intervals of 6 min thereafter. Anaesthesia was successfully induced and maintained by this technique and recovery from anaesthesia in most patients was rapid. Blood samples were collected 2 and 6 min after each dose and at recovery in order to determine the concentrations of propofol. Pharmacokinetic data were fully evaluated in 5 patients whose dosing and sampling regimen did not differ from the methods described above. Propofol blood concentrations declined rapidly between the 2 and 6 min samples, indicating rapid distribution of propofol from blood into tissues. In 3 of the 5 patients slight accumulation of propofol occurred although there was no consistent trend. There was a wide inter-individual variability in propofol concentrations on waking.