Determination of propofol in blood by HPLC. Comparison of the extraction and precipitation methods.

The use of intravenous agents to maintain anesthesia has become increasingly popular since the introduction of propofol. Its popularity results from the fact that in 95% of patients given 2.5 mg propofol per kilogram of body weight, the induction of the drug is rapid and smooth and is followed by rapid recovery with a low incidence of postoperative side effects. In order to study the physiological effects of an intravenous anesthetic agent, it may be necessary to determine its concentration in blood. This paper deals with the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of propofol in blood. The concentration values are calculated from the application of extraction and precipitation procedures. Observed differences resulting from the two analytical methods are discussed and interpreted with reference to investigations of blood, plasma, and water solutions of propofol and the precipitation of solid elements in blood.