Haematological and biochemical changes during anaesthesia with propofol ('Diprivan').

The influence of an emulsion formulation of 2,6-diisopropylphenol (propofol) on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, and on the neuroendocrine responses to surgery has been investigated in 12 patients who received incremental doses of propofol to supplement 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen as anaesthesia for body surface surgery. The effects were compared with those in 10 patients who received Althesin to supplement nitrous oxide in oxygen in a similar manner. When pre-operative values were compared with data obtained after 30 min surgery, no significant effects on coagulation or fibrinolytic indices were found in either group. Both groups, however, showed a significant fall in haemoglobin concentration 30 min after induction of anaesthesia (P less than 0.05); and a fall in haematrocrit value was observed in those patients who received propofol (P less than 0.05). No changes in total white cell counts or platelet counts were observed. Both groups of patients showed a significant rise in blood glucose 30 min after induction of anaesthesia (P less than 0.001). After 3 h values were not significantly different from preoperative levels. The mean plasma cortisol levels fell in both groups 30 min after induction of anaesthesia, but returned to control values by 3 h. The mechanism causing this decrease is not known.