Investigations of Etomidate and Propofol for the Induction and Maintenance of Anaesthesia

Abstract

Because of the hazards of inhalational agents to both patients and theatre staff, investigations of the hypothesis that total intravenous anaesthetic techniques might provide equally satisfactory anaesthesia for patients either breathing spontaneously or requiring mechanical ventilation compared with conventional inhalational based techniques were carried out. A review of the literature suggested that etomidate and later propofol might be suitable agents for this purpose. The investigations were carried out in two stages. Firstly their properties as induction agents were investigated to determine their potential suitability for infusion. After these studies were completed, the infusion studies were carried out. Supplementary analgesia was provided by the infusion of fentanyl