Cardiac arrhythmia during propofol sedation.
Recent articles have described the increasing frequency of use of propofol as a sedating agent in the ED, and praise the safety profile of propofol when used in this manner. We describe a patient who developed torsade de pointes followed by ventricular fibrillation while undergoing propofol sedation for closed reduction of a mid-shaft fracture of the tibia and fibula. Possible reasons for the event are discussed, and suggestions are made for areas of further research.
Douglas
Robert J
RJ
Emergency Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia. rabs01@hotmail.com
Cadogan
Mike
M
D000368:Aged; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology*
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol