Acute lung injury probably associated with infusion of propofol emulsion.

We present a case of acute lung injury associated with propofol infusion in a mechanically ventilated patient with intracerebral haemorrhage. Diagnosis was based on the exclusion of other risk factors inducing acute lung injury and on the clinical improvement after discontinuation of the propofol emulsion. Laboratory data such as the increase in total phospholipids, neutral lipids and free fatty acids in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, the remarkably high percentage of alveolar macrophages including fat droplets and the similar lipid composition of propofol and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid support the relationship between propofol and acute lung injury.