Propofol: Effects on the central nervous system

Propofol remains a popular agent: for providing intraoperative anesthesia as well as sedation during mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. In addition to its sedative/anxiolytic properties, propofol has been shown to have several beneficial effects on central nervous system (CNS) parameters such as cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen, cerebral blood flow, and intracranial pressure. These properties have been demonstrated in both laboratory animals and in clinical investigations in humans. This article reviews the available literature concerning the effects of propofol on CNS dynamics and discusses its possible application as a therapeutic agent in patients with altered intracranial compliance and/or increased intracranial pressure.