Has anyone ever seen or heard of propofol causing an INCREASE in heart rate??
I had a neuro pt last night...and HR was 80-90 when I got there. I was struggling to keep BP under control and my charge nurse suggested going up on the propofol (was only at 10mcgs) and medicate for pain. This pt had a very poor neuro exam and I was hesitant to over sedate. But I did as she suggested.
It didn't take long before HR was 100-120s. Thought maybe it just wasn't helping...so I increased it again. Anywho- over the course of the night I eventually got up to 40mcgs. And HR got up to 140. I was so frustrated- not knowing the cause! I eventually decided to totally turn the prop off (instead of just holding for a few minutes for neuro check)... And within 15 minutes HR was back to 90!! Coincidence?!
I asked a rounding cardiologist (who was unfamiliar with the patient)...and he said he'd never heard of it causing an increase. It did lower the BP- but not by much...so didn't feel it was inversely related.
I haven't personally seen propofol raise the heart rate. I think more likely the hydralazine had more to do with it. But as in all ICU patients (Neuro, Trauma, Burn, MICU/SICU), a number of factors could cause any little set off. You have to look at the whole picture and then dig a little deeper sometimes.
JM-RN
4 Posts
I haven't personally seen propofol raise the heart rate. I think more likely the hydralazine had more to do with it. But as in all ICU patients (Neuro, Trauma, Burn, MICU/SICU), a number of factors could cause any little set off. You have to look at the whole picture and then dig a little deeper sometimes.