Propofol infusion for sedation of patients with head injury in intensive care. A preliminary report.

Propofol was given by continuous intravenous infusion to 10 patients with severe head injuries in the intensive care unit. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, pupil size and arterial carbon dioxide tension were recorded throughout the study period. A mean infusion rate of 2.88 mg/kg/hour provided satisfactory sedation, and recovery from the propofol was often rapid. Cerebral perfusion pressure was significantly increased at 24 hours.