Propofol dose needed for general anesthesia varies widely

Editor's Note

The amount of propofol required for general anesthesia varies widely among patients, and some may be able to receive a lower dose than usually administered, according to a study presented at the Anesthesiology 2015 annual meeting in San Diego.

The amount of propofol required to produce unconsciousness was independent of age, gender, weight, or height. Close monitoring of the patient’s neurological signs and brainwaves was used to determine when the correct dosage was achieved.

The recommendation of administering a specific amount of propofol based on a patient’s weight and age should be replaced with a technique that allows individualization of a patient’s needs, the researchers noted.

SAN DIEGO - The amount of anesthetic required for general anesthesia during surgery varies widely from patient to patient and some may be able to receive a lower dose than typically administered, suggests a study being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2015 annual meeting.