[Efficacy of continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery for general anesthesia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery for general anesthesia.


METHODS
Forty adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery were randomly assigned into 2 groups to receive propopol via the common carotid artery (IC group, n=20) or via the median cubital vein (IV group, n=20). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous administration of drugs and maintained with continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery or the median cubital vein, with the CSI stabilized at 40-/+5 till the end of the operation. During the anesthesia, intravenous injection of fentanyl (3 microg.kg(-1).h(-1)) and vecuronium (50 microg.kg(-1).h(-1)) were given intermittently to maintain the analgesia and muscular relaxation. The dose of propofol used, hemodynamics and recovery of the patients were observed.


RESULTS
The dose of propofol used during the surgery to maintain a CSI of 40-/+5 was significantly lower in group IC and than in group IV (2.57-/+0.67 vs 5.72-/+1.37 mg.kg(-1).h(-1), P<0.01). In group IC, the blood pressure was elevated in more than half of the patients and in some cases, the elevation exceeded one third of baseline value and needed intervention with hypotensive drugs. In the IV group, the patients' blood pressure remained stable and varied within the amplitude of 15% of the baseline level. Recovery of spontaneous breathing and consciousness was more quickly in group IC than in group IV (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Loss of consciousness and nervous reflex can be achieved with propofol infusion via the common carotid artery, which reduces propofol dose by about 50% in comparison with intravenous infusion and allows more rapid recovery of spontaneous breath and consciousness.
Gai
Cheng-lin
CL
Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. linchenggcl@126.com
Chen
Wei-min
WM
Ran
De-chun
DC
Lu
Li
L
Zheng
Xiao-chun
XC
Ai
Chang-liang
CL
Pan
Yang
Y
Xiao
Yan-ling
YL
Sun
Zheng-qing
ZQ
Su
Fang
F