[Effect of propofol and etomidate for anesthesia induction on plasma total cortisol concentration].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of propofol and etomidate for anesthesia induction on adrenocortical function.


METHODS
The plasma total cortisol concentration was determined in 20 patients who were treated with propofol or etomidate.


RESULTS
After propofol induction, the plasma total cortisol level decreased from (308.7 +/- 27.4) nmol/L to (267.7 +/- 31.2) nmol/L at post-medication 2 hours, increased to (400.2 +/- 26.9) nmol/L at postmedication 5 hours and restored to premedication level at postmedication 24 hours [(306.4 +/- 35.4) nmol/L]. After etomidate induction, the plasma total cortisol level decreased from (309.1 +/- 36.6) nmol/L to (115.9 +/- 29.7) nmol/L at postmedication 2 hours, maintained (171.1 +/- 34.7) nmol/L at postmedication 5 hours and restored to premedication level at postmedication 24 hours [(311.8 +/- 46.2) nmol/L].


CONCLUSIONS
Propofol induction has little effect on adrenocortical function whereas etomidate induction inhibits adrenocortical function.
Zhang
Y
Y
Department of Anesthesiology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS, PUMC, Beijing 100730, China. zhangyajun@hotmail.com
Luo
A
A
An
G
G
Huang
Y
Y
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D005045:Etomidate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol; D013997:Time Factors
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D015742:Propofol; D005045:Etomidate