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Sedation by propofol in tetanus — is it a muscular relaxant?

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Abstract

We investigated the muscular relaxant properties of propofol in a 54 year-old-man with severe tetanus. Four consecutive boluses of propofol 50 mg i.v. were administered. Mean muscular activity recorded on an electromyograph (EMG) decreased from 100 to 10–25 mV within 15s after each bolus. EMG values were restored to prior levels 10 min after the last bolus. Maximum decrease of muscular activity was observed with propofol blood level between 2.90–3.20 μg·ml−1. Neuromuscular function recorded by means of evoked electromyography was not affected by propofol administration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Intensive Care Units, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland

    A. Borgeat & P. M. Suter

  2. Surgical Intensive Care Units, Hôpital Cantonal de Fribourg, Switzerland

    C. Dessibourg & M. Rochani

  3. Département d'Anesthésiologie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland

    A. Borgeat

Authors
  1. A. Borgeat
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  2. C. Dessibourg
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  3. M. Rochani
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  4. P. M. Suter
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Borgeat, A., Dessibourg, C., Rochani, M. et al. Sedation by propofol in tetanus — is it a muscular relaxant?. Intensive Care Med 17, 427–429 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720683

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720683

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