Effect of Propofol Infusion on the Endocrine Response to Cardiac Surgery

Abstract
The effect of propofol infusion on the stress response was studied in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Ten patients received propofol infusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and ten controls received diazepam. Blood levels of Cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline were sampled. There was a significant reduction in all three hormones (P<0.05) in the study group. In addition, the amount of sodium nitroprusside used during CPB was significantly reduced (P<0.05).