title: Haemolysis after etomidate: comparison of propylene glycol and lipid formulations.
abstract: We sought to determine if the solvent in the formulation of etomidate is responsible for haemolysis in patients. In a randomized, prospective, double-blind study of 49 patients undergoing otolaryngological surgery, patients received etomidate dissolved in propylene glycol or in lipid emulsion. Concentrations of free haemoglobin and haptoglobin were measured before and for up to 360 min after injection of etomidate. Free haemoglobin concentrations increased by 216.8 mg litre-1 in patients who received the propylene glycol formulation and by 11.8 mg litre-1 in the lipid emulsion group (P < or = 0.0004). Correspondingly, reductions in haptoglobin concentrations were significantly greater in the propylene glycol group (P < or = 0.002). We conclude that with respect to haemolysis, lipid emulsion is superior to propylene glycol as a solvent for etomidate.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Anaesthesiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doenicke
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Roizen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoernecke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ostwald
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foss
mesh_terms: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005045:Etomidate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D006242:Haptoglobins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012997:Solvents; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D005045:Etomidate