Oxygen consumption after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass: the effect of continuing a propofol infusion postoperatively

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a fixed rate of infusion of propofol on total body oxygen consumption during the postoperative rewarming phase after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Cardiac intensive care unit, university hospital.

Participants: Twenty-four male and female patients undergoing elective first-time coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Interventions: Total body oxygen consumption was measured using a pulmonary artery catheter and thermodilution during postoperative rewarming. Twelve patients had propofol infused at 2 mg/kg/h for 4 hours or until rewarmed.

Measurements and main results: Total body oxygen consumption was reduced in the propofol group compared with the control group. Oxygen consumption was a median of 30.0 mL/min/m(2) less in the patients receiving propofol (p = 0.01). One patient receiving propofol shivered compared with 4 in the control group (p = 0.14).

Conclusion: Administration of propofol during postoperative rewarming reduces total body oxygen consumption and may reduce shivering.