Comparison of propofol and remifentanil administration on lipid profile

This study aimed to investigate the serum level of triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein during administration of propofol and comparing it with infusion of remifentanil in patients undergoing sedation in ICU of Masih Daneshvari Hospital during 2005-2007. All patients with pulmonary disease, undergoing intubation and mechanical ventilation were enrolled in our study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, first receiving propofol and second receiving remifentanil as the sedative agent. Lipid profile [triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein] was checked before, immediately after, and the day after drug administration. A total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study, 20 of which took propofol and the remaining took remifentanil. The mean age of the patients was 58.67 +/- 18.57 yrs. Triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein[VLDL] were the two factors with statistically significant rise after infusion of propofol [p < 0.002]. Such a change was not detected in the remifentanil group. The other understudy factors did not show similar changes. Propofol infusion can induce dramatic rises in triglyceride and VLDL concentration even after low dose infusions and therefore special attention must be paid to patients prone to hyper-triglyceridemia and pancreatitis