Oxygen consumption after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass: the effect of continuing a propofol infusion postoperatively.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a fixed rate of infusion of propofol on total body oxygen consumption during the postoperative rewarming phase after cardiopulmonary bypass.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

SETTING

Cardiac intensive care unit, university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four male and female patients undergoing elective first-time coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Total body oxygen consumption was measured using a pulmonary artery catheter and thermodilution during postoperative rewarming. Twelve patients had propofol infused at 2 mg/kg/h for 4 hours or until rewarmed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Total body oxygen consumption was reduced in the propofol group compared with the control group. Oxygen consumption was a median of 30.0 mL/min/m(2) less in the patients receiving propofol (p = 0.01). One patient receiving propofol shivered compared with 4 in the control group (p = 0.14).

CONCLUSION

Administration of propofol during postoperative rewarming reduces total body oxygen consumption and may reduce shivering.