title: Effects of propofol on vasopressor use in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis: A pilot study.
abstract: Propofol is one of the most commonly used sedatives in the intensive care unit (ICU) despite its undesirable hypotensive effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of continuous intravenous (CIV) propofol on vasopressor requirements in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.
  
  
  
  A multicenter, retrospective, propensity-matched pilot study was conducted comparing patients with sepsis or severe sepsis who received CIV propofol for sedation to those who did not. The primary outcome was incidence of vasopressor support. Secondary outcomes included change in mean arterial pressure, mortality, and length of stay.
  
  
  
  A total of 279 patients (149 CIV propofol, 130 non-CIV propofol) were evaluated, with 174 patients matched 1:1 based on propensity score. There was no difference in vasopressor support requirements (49.4% vs 54%; P= .65) or in those experiencing a greater than 20% decrease in mean arterial pressure from baseline (58.6% vs 63.2%; P= .53) in the CIV propofol and non-CIV propofol groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in any secondary outcomes including hospital mortality (32.2% vs 33.3%; P= .87).
  
  
  
  Continuous intravenous propofol for sedation did not increase vasopressor requirements in this septic population. Furthermore, CIV propofol was not associated with significant differences in the use of multiple vasopressors, change in mean arterial pressure, length of stay, or mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN 38104; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN 38163. Electronic address: Jacob.marler@mlh.org.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marler
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Electronic address: kmohrien@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mohrien
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN 38104; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN 38163. Electronic address: lauren.kimmons@mlh.org.
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kimmons
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201. Electronic address: jvandigo@umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Vandigo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN 38104; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN 38163. Electronic address: carrie.oliphant@mlh.org.
authors.forename: Carrie S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Oliphant
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN 38163. Electronic address: abouche1@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Adam N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN 38104; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN 38163; Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UTHSC, Memphis, TN 38163. Electronic address: morgan.jones@mlh.org.
authors.forename: G Morgan
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057216:Propensity Score; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D015742:Propofol
keywords: Continuous sedation; Hypotension; Propofol; Sepsis; Vasopressor