Factors that influence the induction dose of propofol.

Factors that influence the induction of anaesthesia with propofol were investigated in a prospective study of 1000 patients. Pre-operative albumin and urea concentrations correlated with the minimum induction dose of propofol, but less strong correlations were found with haemoglobin, globulin and total protein concentrations. Age was an important influence on the induction dose of propofol (r = -0.34) which was also closely related to ASA grade. Induction of anaesthesia with propofol is dependent on a number of variables, and this study suggests that pre-operative albumin and urea concentrations are important.