A comparison of the induction characteristics of thiopentone and propofol (2, 6‐di‐isopropyl phenol)

Abstract

SummaryA study has been undertaken to compare the induction characteristics of the new intravenous anaesthetic agent 2,6 di-isopropyl phenol, newly prepared in a lipid emulsion (propofol) with those of thiopentone. Despite a signijicantly higher incidence of pain on injection and spontaneous movement, the new agent "as felt to perform comparably to thiopentone as an induction agent. Unfortunately, propofol caused decreases in blood pressure which were signijicantly greater than those seen after thiopentone. This feature may prove to be a considerable hurdle to the general acceptance of propofol.

Propofol is superior to thiopental for intubation without muscle relaxants

“…5 The usual increase in blood pressure and HR following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation was not observed in the two groups. Similar to previous reports, 18,19 more hypotension and bradycardia followed induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation in the propofol group than in the thiopental group. The cardiovascular depressant effects of propofol may be attributed to direct myocardial depression and decreased systemic vascular resistance.…”

Propofol-induced seizure-like phenomena

“…Several reports of patients undergoing temporal lobe surgery for epilepsy show no seizure activity with propofol-induced anesthesia (20,21). Some authors have argued that propofol SLP are exaggerated spontaneous and involuntary movements as seen with other anesthetic agents such as methohexitone and ketamine (22,23). Several-researchers have suggested that in addition to propofol's GABA-mediated effects, it also demonstrates low-level glycine antagonism that could be responsible for observations of opisthotonous and myclonus.…”

Hemodynamic Responses with Different Dose of Ketamine and Propofol in Day Care Gynecological Surgeries

“…Patients with hypovolemia, cardiac failure and hypertension are occasionally prone to greater decreases in arterial pressure with propofol. Propofol also causes lowering of the heart rate secondary to vagotonic effects [10][11][12]. These hemodynamic effects have been corroborated by observed significant decreases in HR, systolic, diastolic and MAP when propofol 2mg/kg was used.…”