The effect of propofol on normal and increased pulmonary vascular resistance in isolated perfused rabbit lung.

The effects of propofol and its intralipid vehicle on increased and normal pulmonary vascular resistances (PVR) were studied in an in situ perfused rabbit lung model which controlled all major determinants of PVR. Propofol at both 5 and 10 micrograms/mL significantly reduced PVR increases by the thromboxane mimetic, U46619. In contrast, similar volumes of intralipid further increased PVR. Neither propofol nor intralipid had any effect on normal PVR. We conclude that propofol at 5 and 10 micrograms/mL is able to reduce increased PVR but has no effect on normal PVR.