A lethal complication of propofol

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2006 Feb;14(1):60-2. doi: 10.1177/021849230601400115.

Abstract

High-dose propofol infusion for sedation of patients in the intensive care unit can result in rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, ventricular arrhythmia, hyperthermia, and death. The death of a patient with such complications after lung biopsy is reported. Until a safer dosage range has been determined, propofol infusion at rates higher than 5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) should be discouraged for long-term sedation (> 48 h).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / chemically induced
  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
  • Adult
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / adverse effects*
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Intubation, Intratracheal
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / chemically induced
  • Propofol / adverse effects*
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / complications
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / therapy
  • Rhabdomyolysis / chemically induced
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / chemically induced
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / chemically induced

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Propofol