The influence of blood sample storage time on the propofol concentration in plasma and solid blood elements.

In order to describe the changes of propofol concentration in whole blood and in its components during the blood storage we examined venous blood samples collected from patients anaesthetized either with or without propofol. Blood samples from patients anaesthetized without propofol were spike with propofol 45 min before analysis. Propofol concentration was examined in whole blood, plasma, rinsed formed elements and rinsed and lysed formed blood elements by means of HPLC after 1, 4, 7, 13, 21, 25 and 28 days of storage. There was significant decrease in plasma concentration of propofol during the first few days of sample storage followed by its increase during subsequent days. The opposite phenomenon was observed for formed blood elements. The findings support the hypothesis that propofol distribution between blood components changes in time. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.