Abstract

AVILA, Lina María; TABARES ARBOLEDA, María Paz  and  PIEDAD LONDONO, María. Propofol Infusion Syndrome: Topic Review. Univ. Med. [online]. 2021, vol.62, n.2, e32489.  Epub May 15, 2021. ISSN 0041-9095.  https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.umed62-2.prop.

Propofol is an intravenous anaesthetic agent widely used in the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia, as well as in the sedation of patients in various scenarios. Its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties make this an ideal medication for the treatment of critical patients. Some of these properties, for instance, its rapid onset of action and recuperation after suspending infusion, in addition to the presence of few adverse effects, make it a favourable choice in certain clinical conditions. Nevertheless, for more than 20 years there have been reported cases in the literature concerning the presence of common signs and symptoms related to the infusion of propofol at doses greater than 4 – 5 mg/kg/h and for long periods (>48 h), such as metabolic acidosis, cardiac and renal dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperkalaemia, which together are known as Propofol Infusion Syndrome. Although this pathology is rare, it is potentially fatal without a diagnostic and proper treatment. This article seeks to clear some points about its pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic and treatment based on current literature.

Keywords : propofol; propofol infusion syndrome; mitochondria.

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