[Comparison of propofol and thiopentone in young and elderly patients].

Forty patients between 20 and 40 years and 39 patients between 60 and 80 years, all unpremedicated, were allocated to induction with propofol or thiopentone. The induction dose of propofol in patients between 60 and 80 years was 65% of the dose in the patients between 20 and 40 years. Administration of the induction dose of propofol was followed by an even decrease in mean arterial blood pressure of approximately 16% in young and in elderly patients. Propofol caused a more pronounced decrease in mean arterial blood pressure than thiopentone, both in young and elderly patients.