Suspected anaphylactic reaction associated with microemulsion propofol during anesthesia induction

J Korean Med Sci. 2012 Jul;27(7):827-9. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.7.827. Epub 2012 Jun 29.

Abstract

Although rare, intraoperative anaphylaxis can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Aquafol® (Daewon Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea), a microemulsion propofol, was developed to eliminate lipid solvent-related adverse events, and was used in clinical anesthesia since 2009 with little data about severe side effects such as anaphylaxis. A healthy 16-yr-old male patient who had past medical history with two previous operations of no complications developed cardiovascular shock with generalized erythema following administration of microemulsion propofol during anesthesia induction. Intravenous injection of epinephrine and steroid rescued him. He remained in a stable state without any problems postoperatively and was discharged. Clinicians should consider this rare but serious complication during induction of anesthesia with propofol.

Keywords: Anaphylactic Reaction; Anesthetics; Aquafol; Complications; Microemulsion Propofol.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anaphylaxis / chemically induced*
  • Anaphylaxis / drug therapy
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / administration & dosage*
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Emulsions / chemistry
  • Epinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Propofol / administration & dosage*
  • Propofol / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Emulsions
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone
  • Propofol
  • Epinephrine