ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The effects of clinical doses of propofol on left ventricular (LV) systolic function remain controversial and LV diastolic function has not been evaluated during induction of anesthesia with propofol. We assessed the effects of propofol on LV systolic and diastolic function during induction of anesthesia in adult patients with transthoracic echocardiography. METHODS: Twenty-three patients, ASA 1-2 and age < 70 y.o., received propofol 2 mg x kg(-1) for induction of anesthesia. LV systolic function was evaluated by fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF), rate-corrected mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcfc) and a contractile index, LV end-systolic wall stress (ESWS) versus Vcfc relation (ESWS-Vcfc relation). LV diastolic functions were assessed by analysis of transmitral flow velocity, peak early diastolic and late diastolic filling velocities (E wave and A wave), E/A ratio and E wave deceleration time (DT). RESULTS: After induction, propofol preserved FS, EF, Vcfc and ESWS-Vcfc relation and caused a significant decrease in E wave and A wave, and a significant increase in E/A ratio and maintained DT. CONCLUSIONS: During induction of anesthesia in adult patients, propofol preserved LV systolic and diastolic functions.
