Computer controlled infusion of propofol for conscious sedation in dental treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To assess a drug delivery system that can rapidly achieve and maintain a constant blood concentration of Propofol (2,6 di-isopropyl phenol) which, in subanaesthetic doses, is an effective intravenous sedative for treating anxious or handicapped patients in dentistry.

DESIGN

The clinical use of a computer controlled infusion system to induce and maintain conscious sedation with propofol was prospectively studied. Based on a 3-compartment pharmacokinetic model, the system calculates the initial bolus dose and infusion rates to achieve a user-selected target blood concentration.

SETTING

Amsterdam Center for Special Dental Care.

SUBJECTS

89 patients attending for dental treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment could be performed within 2 minutes after the onset of the infusion. The median therapeutic target blood propofol concentration was 2.5 micrograms/ml and the median recovery time was 9 minutes. Transient oversedation (38 procedures) could easily be treated by decreasing the target concentration. No adverse cardiorespiratory effects resulted from propofol sedation. Venous blood propofol concentrations were measured in 25 anxious patients. The kinetic data set used in this study underestimated the distribution and elimination of propofol in our patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Computer controlled infusion of propofol can provide satisfactory and safe conscious sedation in dental patients.