Pharmacokinetics of propofol in calves undergoing abdominal surgery

摘要

Propofol (PRO) is a short-acting, intravenous anaesthetic drug. It is usually used to induce and/or maintain general anaesthesia or to produce sedative effects during local/regional anaesthesia. At low doses, PRO has anti-emetic and anti-convulsive properties. Due to its high lipophilicity, PRO distributes rapidly from blood to tissues and crosses the hematoencephalic barrier in a very short time. These properties, together with its extensive hepatic metabolism, explain the very rapid induction of anaesthesia and the short-lasting effects of PRO. Maintenance of general anaesthesia can be achieved by continuous PRO infusion or by repeated administrations in bolus (Langley and Heel 1988; Dawidowicz et al. 2006). The main mechanism of action of PRO consists of the enhancement of GABA-A mediated inhibitory effects due to a direct interaction with GABA-A receptors.