title: An electroencephalographic comparison of effects of propofol and methohexital.
abstract: Thirty-eight patients were randomly allocated to receive propofol 1 mg/kg (group A, N = 10), methohexital 0.7 mg/kg (group B, N = 9), propofol 2 mg/kg (group C, N = 10), methohexital 1.5 mg/kg (group D, N = 9). They were all male with a mean age of 65.8 years (range, 46-85) and a mean weight of 76.2 kg (range, 50-109). Patients received no premedication. All drugs were administered as a single i.v. bolus. After baseline EEG recordings were obtained, i.v. bolus doses were given and the recording continued until the patients became fully responsive to verbal commands. The EEGs were visually analyzed and classified into 4 phases: phase 0, the wake physiologic pattern; phase 1, initial changes after i.v. bolus doses; phase 2, state of deep anesthesia; and phase 3, stage of recovery. The main change during phase 1 was increase in the amplitude of the background rhythms. Phase 2 was characterized by theta and delta activity and burst suppression in some patients. During phase 3 beta activity was seen following methohexital. Propofol produced a much deeper level of anesthesia compared to methohexital. The stage of deep anesthesia was prolonged following propofol. The clinical and EEG recoveries were prolonged after induction doses of propofol. The quality of recovery, however, was far superior with propofol. Methohexital produces a "hang over" effect which delays full recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Indiana Univesity School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Moorthy
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mattice
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Dierdorf
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Deitch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008723:Methohexital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D008723:Methohexital; D015742:Propofol