PROLONGED SEDATION WITH PROPOFOL IN ICU PATIENTS: RECOVERY AND BLOOD CONCENTRATION CHANGES DURING PERIODIC INTERRUPTIONS IN INFUSION

• Published in: British journal of anaesthesia : BJA Vol. 61; no. 5; pp. 583 - 588
• Main Authors: BELLER, J.P., POTTECHER, T, LUGNIER, A, MANGIN, P, OTTENI, J.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1988; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anesthetics. Neuromuscular blocking agents; Biological and medical sciences; Critical Care; Female; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - administration & dosage; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phenols - administration & dosage; Phenols - blood; Phenols - pharmacology; Propofol; Time Factors; Human; Intensive care; Sedative; General anesthetic; Perfusion; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0007-0912; 1471-6771
• DOI: 10.1093/bja/61.5.583

Propofol (mean dose 2.85 mg kg−1 h−1) was administered for 4 days by continuous i. v. infusion for sedation in 14 agitated and restless ICU patients. This provided rapid control of the level of sedation. When the infusion was discontinued, adequate recovery with response to commands was obtained in most patients by 10 min. Recovery times and the decrease in blood propofol concentration were similar after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of infusion. Cumulative effects, tachyphylaxis, or other untoward effects were not observed.