title: Propofol infusion syndrome--report of an adult fatality.
abstract: This report describes a fatal case of the propofol infusion syndrome in an adult patient being sedated for a closed head injury using high doses of propofol. The features of circulatory collapse, metabolic acidosis, mild rhabdomyolysis and renal impairment are consistent with the syndrome and not readily attributable to alternative aetiologies. Potential mechanisms for the syndrome may relate to antagonism of beta-receptors, impaired myocardial oxygen utilization and a specific disruption to fatty-acid oxidation. This is the first published Australian case of the propofol infusion syndrome in an adult and should serve as an additional case report to the existing literature highlighting this potentially fatal syndrome in adults.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Units, Box Hill Hospital and Western Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ernest
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol