Propofol infusion syndrome with arrhythmia, myocardial fat accumulation and cardiac failure.

Full Abstract

Propofol is a potent and widely used central-acting sedative drug. It has been implicated in the development of a usually fatal syndrome characterized by metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and Brugada-like cardiac rhythm disturbances, all leading to cardiac and renal failure. The investigators describe a 12-year-old male patient with a fatal case of this so-called propofol infusion syndrome. Postmortem investigation showed not only the well-known myocytolysis in skeletal and cardiac muscle but also not previously demonstrated widespread fat accumulation in the myocardium. In conclusion, this cardiac fat accumulation illustrates the proposed underlying pathophysiology of impaired (muscular) free fatty acid utilization.

Author information

Author/s: Jorens, Philippe G (PG); Van den Eynden, Gert G (GG);

Affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium. philippe.jorens(-atsign-)uza.be

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article

Journal: The American journal of cardiology (Am J Cardiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 104 (issue 8) : pp 1160-2

Dates: Created 2009/10/05; Completed 2009/10/20;

PMID: 19801042, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/20/2009, IMS Date: )

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