Comparative pharmacokinetics of propofol in Chinese adults and children.
The pharmacokinetics of propofol were studied in 14 healthy young male Chinese adults, aged 18-38 years, undergoing minor orthopedic surgery. All patients who received a single bolus dose of propofol 2.5 mg/kg were paralyzed with atracurium and mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia was maintained with 67% nitrous oxide plus 1-2% isoflurane in oxygen with alfentanil 5 micrograms/kg intravenously as a bolus injection. Blood concentrations of propofol over the subsequent 24 hours were measured using high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. Data were consistently described by a three compartment model but analysis revealed two significantly different blood propofol concentration-time profiles (p less than 0.05). Five patients, designated "fast" metabolizers, demonstrated a mean elimination half-life which was shorter than that described in Chinese children, while their total body clearance was similar. Nine other patients, designated "slow" metabolizers, had a longer mean elimination half-life and slower total body clearance than those in elderly Caucasian patients. This may be suggestive of propofol metabolism at some extra-hepatic site in some patients, while other patients demonstrate marked lipophilicitic constraint of the drug by the deep compartment.
Jones
R D
RD
Dept. of Anaesthesiology, University of Hong Kong.
Chan
K
K
Andrew
L J
LJ
Lawson
A D
AD
Wong
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015742:Propofol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D015742:Propofol