title: A death associated with possible propofol infusion syndrome.
abstract: Propofol, an intravenously administered, centrally acting sedative/hypnotic, is a popular medication for anesthesia and sedation due to rapid onset, controllability and short recovery time. Prolonged propofol infusions, (>48 h) with elevated doses (>67 mcg/kg/min) may result in a rare but fatal condition known as the Propofol Related Infusion Syndrome (PRIS). This is a case of severe metabolic acidosis and refractory hyperkalemia in a 53 year old female with polytrauma on a continuous propofol infusion that was associated with fatal outcome.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Fellow, State Trauma Unit, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: FRACS, State Director Trauma Services, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Sudhakar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: MBBS, State Trauma Unit, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Roshan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nair
keywords: Head injury; Propofol infusion syndrome