Action of propofol on resistance and capacitance vessels during cardiopulmonary bypass.

The peripheral vascular action of propofol on the resistance and the capacitance vessels was investigated in 16 patients during cardiopulmonary bypass. The venous reservoir (RV) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were used as indices of the changes in venous capacitance and systemic vascular resistance (SVR), respectively. Propofol 2 mg.kg-1 produced a decrease in MAP without a significant change in RV, suggesting that propofol preferentially decreases SVR without a significant change in venous capacitance.