Propofol in elderly high risk patients. A comparison of haemodynamic effects with thiopentone during induction of anaesthesia

Twenty elderly patients of ASA grade 3 or 4, received either propofol 1 mg/kg or thiopentone 2 mg/kg for induction of anaesthesia. These doses provided a convenient level of anaesthesia for all patients. There were no significant intra- or intergroup haemodynamic changes, with the exception of a decrease in diastolic pressure and rate-pressure product after propofol. It is concluded that propofol 1 mg/kg can be used to induce anaesthesia in elderly high risk patients without deleterious cardiovascular effects.