Effects of propofol containing EDTA on mineral metabolism in medical ICU patients with pulmonary dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the addition of disodium edetate (EDTA) to propofol significantly alters mineral metabolism, adverse events, and outcome in critically ill medical patients with acute pulmonary dysfunction.


METHODS
Multicentre, double-randomised, double-blind, comparative trial.


METHODS
Medical intensive care units of 5 health centres.


METHODS
A total of 85 haemodynamically stable men and women aged 18-81 years who had pulmonary dysfunction or adult respiratory distress syndrome as a primary diagnosis or complication and who were expected to require at least 48 hours of sedation and mechanical ventilation.


METHODS
Patients were randomised to receive propofol with or without EDTA and then to 1 of 2 sedation levels: light (Modified Ramsay Sedation Scale [MRSS] score of 2 to 3) or deep (MRSS score of 4 to 5). Propofol was administered by continuous infusion at an initial rate of 5 microg/kg per min and titrated as needed.


RESULTS
Approximately 63 % of patients had a high severity of illness as indicated by an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score > or = 19. As expected, these patients had a higher mortality rate but did not require a higher dose of propofol or propofol with EDTA. Extensive evaluation of cation homeostasis showed that ionised calcium and magnesium concentrations remained remarkably stable during treatment. Total calcium concentration was low as a result of hypoalbuminemia. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration was elevated in both study groups at baseline, on day 4, and at the end of sedation. There were no significant differences in electrolyte levels and no progression to renal dysfunction. There were also no significant differences in haemodynamic or adverse-event profiles. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 5 patients in each group; 4 of these (in 3 patients receiving propofol and 1 patient receiving propofol with EDTA) were considered serious. Because a large percentage of patients experienced a change in sedation level, no analyses were performed using sedation level.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of EDTA to propofol does not alter calcium and magnesium homeostasis in critically ill patients with acute pulmonary dysfunction. The reason for the elevation in PTH concentrations in such patients is not known.
Abraham
E
E
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Denver 80262, USA. edward.abraham@uchsc.edu
Papadakos
P J
PJ
Tharratt
R S
RS
Hall
J B
JB
Williams
G J
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D002614:Chelating Agents; D008903:Minerals; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D004492:Edetic Acid; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium; D015742:Propofol