[Modification of intracranial pressure by propofol (Disoprivan). Initial results].

The effects of propofol on intracranial pressure (ICP) were studied in seven patients with isolated intracerebral injuries. All patients had lost consciousness and were intubated and ventilated. On the basis of computed tomography (CT) of the brain, it was decided whether an implantation for epidural pressure monitoring was indicated. Implantation of the pressure transducer was followed by measurements of epidural pressure, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood gas analysis. Propofol 1 mg/kg body weight was administered and all parameters measured again 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 min after dosing. The CT showed contusion bleeding and narrowed complemental space in all patients. The individual intracranial pressure profiles are shown in Fig. 1. Except for one patient who showed an extremely unstable and excessively high ICP even during subsequent thiopental treatment, no increase was observed after propofol. The cerebral perfusion pressure showed no relevant changes, nor did blood pressure or heart rate. It can be concluded from this study that propofol (ICI-Pharma) causes no ICP increase in patients with elevated ICP and may be used in these cases as an induction hypnotic.