Fatal cases related to propofol

  • Published : 2003.10.01

Abstract

Propofol(2, 6-diisopropylphenol) is rapid, short-acting intravenous anaesthetic agent. It is used for the induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia or sedation. The recommended doses are 2-2.5mg/kg given as a titration infusion over about 30min to achieve anaesthesia. Recently, we encountered 4 fatalities related to propofol. One death is a suicide by self-administered of propofol and the others are therapeutic misadventures during surgical care. The propofol level in the blood and tissues were determined by gas chromatographic analysis with mass spectral detection. (omitted)

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