Propofol and airway resistance

Q: Propofol _______________ airway resistance. - Select one

A) decreases

B) increases

Answer: A

Propofol is one of the most commonly used drugs in ICUs, providing sedation as well as amnesia, but NOT analgesia. It has a quick effect of approximately 15 to 45 seconds, and a short duration of action of 5 to 10 minutes. 

Propofol reduces airway resistance, making it an attractive induction agent for intubation in patients with bronchospasm. Also, it does not prolong the QT interval.

Propofol's other effects are due to suppression of sympathetic activity, which also may cause myocardial depression and peripheral vasodilation.

#pharmacology

#procedures

References:

1. Eames WO, Rooke GA, Wu RS, Bishop MJ. Comparison of the effects of etomidate, propofol, and thiopental on respiratory resistance after tracheal intubation. Anesthesiology 1996; 84:1307.

2. Conti G, Ferretti A, Tellan G, et al. Propofol induces bronchodilation in a patient mechanically ventilated for status asthmaticus. Intensive Care Med 1993; 19:305.

3. Pizov R, Brown RH, Weiss YS, et al. Wheezing during induction of general anesthesia in patients with and without asthma. A randomized, blinded trial. Anesthesiology 1995; 82:1111.