Haemodynamic changes after induction of anaesthesia and tracheal intubation following propofol or thiopentone in patients of ASA grade I and III.

Thirty-six ASA I patients received either propofol 2.25 (0.07) mg kg-1 (mean (SEM] or thiopentone 4.8 (0.18) mg kg-1, for induction of general anaesthesia together with fentanyl and a neuromuscular blocking drug. This technique was repeated in 12 ASA III patients, using propofol 1.8 (0.18) mg kg-1 or thiopentone 4.7 (0.37) mg kg-1. There was a significant decrease in systolic arterial pressure following induction of anaesthesia with both drugs; this was more pronounced after propofol, and in ASA III patients. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations increased after tracheal intubation only in the thiopentone group, but the pressor response to tracheal intubation was not attenuated by the use of propofol.