Rhabdomyolysis and hypoxia associated with prolonged propofol infusion in children

1 January 1998

journal article
case report
Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Neurology

Vol. 50 (1) , 301-303
https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.50.1.301

Abstract

Propofol, a new anesthetic, is now used more commonly to sedate patients in the intensive care unit. Propofol9s rapid elimination has popularized its use to induce and maintain hypnosis in patients with refractory status epilepticus. It is also associated with occasional severe metabolic acidosis and hypoxia of indeterminate cause in children. We report a child and an adolescent who developed severe metabolic acidosis, progressive hypoxia, and rhabdomyolysis during maintenance infusion of propofol for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus. We suggest that propofol should not be used for prolonged sedation in children until its safety can be ensured.

Keywords

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