[The effects of propofol bolus administration on the intracranial pressure in craniocerebral trauma].

Previous investigations have revealed that propofol has a beneficial effect on intracranial dynamics in patients undergoing elective neurosurgery. In the present study we evaluated the impact of propofol in patients with normal or compromised intracranial compliance. METHODS. Epidural ICP probes were implanted in 14 patients with head injury. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), intracranial pressure (ICP) and end-tidal CO2 were recorded continuously, and propofol was given in doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg; there were 15 min between each application. The data were evaluated 1, 2, 5 and 10 min after each application. The patients were allocated to group I (ICP less than 20 mmHg) or group II (ICP greater than 20 mmHg) according to their ICP baseline level. A statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA. A P value of less than 0.05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS. In group I decreases in MAP at all measuring points were detected with 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg propofol; ICP with 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg and CPP with 2.0 mg/kg fell significantly. In group II MAP decreased with all doses studied, as did ICP with 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg; however, CPP was not particularly influenced. CONCLUSION. Propofol decreased ICP in patients with normal and compromised intracranial compliance, particularly with 2.0 mg/kg. As the responses to the hypotensive effects of propofol were mild and almost similar in both groups, no inadvertent CPP drops were observed with any of the doses studied. Thus, propofol as a bolus can be used safely for the sedation of ICU patients with head injury and normal or compromised intracranial compliance.