title: A lethal complication of propofol.
abstract: High-dose propofol infusion for sedation of patients in the intensive care unit can result in rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, ventricular arrhythmia, hyperthermia, and death. The death of a patient with such complications after lung biopsy is reported. Until a safer dosage range has been determined, propofol infusion at rates higher than 5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) should be discouraged for long-term sedation (> 48 h).
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Memorial Hospital, Belleville, USA. HSUEN@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Hon Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Suen
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Haake
authors.forename: Victor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.forename: Sultan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hayat
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced; D000328:Adult; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000139:chemically induced; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D015742:Propofol