title: Effects of propofol on ultrasonic indicators of haemodynamic function in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of intravenous propofol in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, prospective, experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one female New Zealand White rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were allocated to one of two groups [propofol (P) or conscious (C)]. In C (n = 16) vascular dimensions were measured using ultrasound of the left common carotid artery (ACC) and the abdominal aorta (AA). Group P (n = 15) received propofol 4.0-8.0 mg kg(-1) intravenously (IV). Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol at 1.2-1.3 mg kg(-1) minute(-1). Subsequently, three propofol injections (8 mg kg(-1)) were given. Before and for 10 minutes after each injection the following vascular and haemodynamic variables were recorded (a) at the ACC after the first injection; and (b) at the AA after the second injection: vessel diameter [D, (mm)], peak systolic, minimum diastolic, end-diastolic and average blood flow velocities [psBFV, mdBFV, edBFV, Vave (cm second(-1))], average volumetric flow [VFave (mL s(-1))], resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) and end-tidal CO(2) (Pe'CO(2)). Echocardiography was performed after the third propofol bolus injection to investigate changes in cardiac parameters [fractional shortening, FS (%)].
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intravenous propofol injections caused a significant decrease in vessel diameter, volumetric flow and edBFV, and significant increases in psBFV, RI and PI. Baseline levels for vessel diameter and psBFV were restored 6-8 minutes after injection. Propofol injection decreased FS significantly by 7 minutes after injection while MAP and HR were significantly reduced for 4 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injections of propofol (8 mg kg(-1)) produced an immediate, transient decrease in vascular diameters, a significant decrease in ventricular performance and an increase in peripheral vascular resistance (ACC and AA). Propofol should probably not be or only carefully used in rabbits with ventricular dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Working Group of Experimental Surgery, Institute for Experimental Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Technical University, Munich, Germany. cbaumgartner@trigen.de
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bollerhey
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henke
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ungerer
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Erhardt
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D011817:Rabbits / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D015742:Propofol