EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RATES OF INFUSION OF PROPOFOL FOR INDUCTION OF ANAESTHESIA IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

• Published in: British journal of anaesthesia : BJA Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 346 - 352
• Main Authors: PEACOCK, J.E., LEWIS, R.P., REILLY, C.S., NIMMO, W.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.1990; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aged; Anaesthetic techniques: infusions; Anaesthetics; Anesthesia, General - adverse effects; Anesthetics. Neuromuscular blocking agents; Apnea - chemically induced; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Female; Heart Rate - drug effects; Humans; intravenous: propofol; Male; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Propofol - administration & dosage; Propofol - adverse effects; Propofol - blood; Time Factors; intravenous: propofol; Anaesthetic techniques: infusions; Anaesthetics; Human; Intravenous administration; General anesthetic; Induction; General anesthesia; Hemodynamics; Elderly
• ISSN: 0007-0912; 1471-6771
• DOI: 10.1093/bja/65.3.346

The effect of changing the rate of infusion of propofol for induction of anaestheia was studied in 60 elderly patients. Propofol was administered at 300, 600 or 1200 ml h−1 until loss of consciousness (as judged by loss of verbal contact with the patient) had been achieved. The duration of induction was significantly longer (P < 0.001) with the slower infusion rates (104, 68 and 51 s), but the total dose used was significantly less (P < 0.001) in these patients (1.2, 1.6 and 2.5 mg kg−1, respectively). The decrease in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure was significantly less in the 300-ml h−1 group at the end of induction and immediately after induction (P < 0.01). The incidence of apnoea was also significantly less in the slower infusion group.