Propofol Dose-Finding to Reach Optimal Effect for (Semi-)Elective Intubation in Neonates.
To define the effective dose for 50% of patients (ED50) of propofol for successful intubation and to determine the rate of successful extubation in those patients with planned intubation, surfactant administration, and immediate extubation (INSURE procedure). In addition, pharmacodynamic effects were assessed.



Neonates (n = 50) treated with propofol for (semi-)elective endotracheal intubation were stratified in 8 strata by postmenstrual and postnatal age. The first patient in each stratum received an intravenous bolus of 1 mg/kg propofol. Dosing for the next patient was determined using the up-and-down method. A propofol ED50dose was calculated in each stratum with an effective sample size of at least 6, via the Dixon-Masey method, with simultaneous assessment of clinical scores and continuous vital sign monitoring.



Propofol ED50values for preterm neonates <10 days of age varied between 0.713 and 1.350 mg/kg. Clinical recovery was not attained at the end of the 21-minute scoring period. Mean arterial blood pressure showed a median decrease between 28.5% and 39.1% from baseline with a brief decrease in peripheral and regional cerebral oxygen saturation. Variability in mean arterial blood pressure area under the curve could not be explained by weight or age.



Low propofol doses were sufficient to sedate neonates for intubation. Clinical recovery was accompanied by permissive hypotension (no clinical shock and no treatment). The propofol ED50doses can be administered at induction, with subsequent up-titration if needed, while monitoring blood pressure. They can be used for further dosing optimalization and validation studies.



ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01621373; EudraCT: 2012-002648-26.
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: smits.anne@outlook.com.
Anne
A
Smits
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Liesbeth
L
Thewissen
Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Alexander
A
Caicedo
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Gunnar
G
Naulaers
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Karel
K
Allegaert
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol
neonatology; pharmacology