PATIENTS AND METHODS

Although the efficacy of propofol—as an induction agent—has been studied in patients with coronary artery disease (Patrick et al., 1985), the haemo-dynamic effects of a maintenance technique, in which propofol was infused continuously in patients about to undergo elective coronary bypass surgery, have not been reported. This study describes the haemodynamic effects associated with induction of anaesthesia using propofol, and the continuous infusion of propofol (supple-mented with fentanyl) during the pre-bypass period