Haemodynamic effects of a prolonged infusion of propofol as a supplement to nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Studies in association with peripheral arterial surgery.

The haemodynamic effects of propofol at two infusion rates (54-65 and 108-130 micrograms kg-1 min-1) have been studied during peripheral arterial surgery in eight elderly patients premedicated with morphine sulphate 0.15 mg kg-1. The haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation was partially suppressed: neither arterial pressure nor heart rate exceeded awake values. During stable anaesthesia at the lower infusion rate before surgery, systolic (SAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures were significantly decreased from awake values (SAP: -47%; DAP: -46%) as a result of decreases in cardiac output (-32%) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (-9%). During surgery, with either spontaneous (SV) or intermittent positive pressure (IPPV) ventilation, both infusion rates were associated with decreases in arterial pressures when compared with the awake state. Cardiac output was decreased (SV: -35%, IPPV: -36%) and SVR increased (SV: +22%, IPPV: +45%) at the lower infusion rate; similar changes were observed during the faster infusion rate.