Effects of propofol and methohexital on neutrophil function in cardiac surgical patients.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of propofol and methohexital on neutrophil leukocyte oxidative burst in cardiac surgical patients. Forty-six patients after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass either received propofol (n=29) or methohexital (n=17). Oxidative burst was measured before induction of anaesthesia, on admission to intensive care unit (ICU), 6 hours after ICU admission and 24 hours after start of anaesthesia.

Effects of propofol vs methohexital on neutrophil function and immune status in critically ill patients.

Purpose: Patients with severe brain injury often require long-term sedation and have a high incidence of nosocomial infections, causing an increased mortality rate. However, whether anesthetic drugs might contribute to immunosuppressive effects remains unclear.

Methods: In this prospective study, we investigated the effects of propofol (4-6 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) and methohexital (1-3 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) on neutrophil leukocyte function and immune status in 21 patients with brain injury who either received propofol (n = 12; 9 male, 3 female; mean age, 51 +/- 15 years) or methohexital (n = 9; 8 male, 1 female; mean age, 48 +/- 17 years) after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).