The effect on serum lipid concentrations of a prolonged infusion of propofol--hypertriglyceridaemia associated with propofol administration.

Serum concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) were measured in an ICU patient after he had received a 10-day continuous infusion of propofol. No additional parenteral lipid was given in the 72 h prior to initial sampling, but a total of 71 of 10% intralipid had been administered over the remaining 7 days. The total cumulative dose of propofol was 66.1 g (range 0.7-6.4 mg kg-1 h-1). There was no visual appearance of lipaemia. Both the serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations increased (triglyceride level increased to 4 times normal whereas the cholesterol elevation was minimal). The HDL-cholesterol concentration decreased. At 72 h after discontinuing the infusion of propofol the triglyceride level remained elevated, the cholesterol concentration had returned to normal and the HDL-cholesterol concentration remained unchanged. The implications of hypertriglyceridaemia are discussed.