Propofol clearance and volume of distribution are increased in patients with major burns.
Propofol pharmacokinetics were examined in 17 adults with major burns during the hyperdynamic convalescent phase. Eighteen nonburned surgical patients served as controls. After a 2-mg/kg intravenous dose of propofol, blood samples were collected at multiple time points. Noncompartmental methods were used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. The following indices were higher in burns than controls: propofol clearance (64+/-17 vs 29+/-4 mL/kg/min, P<.001) and volume of distribution (8+/-3 vs 4+/-1 L/kg, P<.001). The area under the curve was smaller in burns (556+/-152 vs 1193+/-183 microg/mL h, P<.001). The higher clearance of propofol in burned patients may imply that these patients require higher doses or infusion rates of propofol to attain a target plasma concentration or pharmacodynamic effect.
Han
Tae-Hyung
TH
Department of Anesthesia, 5937 JPP, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. anthony-han@uiowa.edu
Greenblatt
David J
DJ
Martyn
J A Jeevendra
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D015742:Propofol