ObjectiveTo assess the effect of diisopropyl phenol (propofol), with and without Intralipid, on the cardiopulmonary system and on thromboxane production in endotoxic pigs.DesignProspective, randomized animal study.SettingAnimal research laboratory at a major teaching hospital.SubjectsTwenty-four pigs, divided into three groups (n = 8).InterventionsPulmonary arterial catheters and arterial cannulas were inserted into all pigs. Each pig received a 30 ng/kg bolus of endotoxin at 1 hr, followed by a continuous infusion of endotoxin at 24 ng·kg−1·hr−1. Diisopropyl phenol at 25, 75, and 200 &mgr;g·kg−1·min−1was administered to all pigs, beginning at 1, 2, and 3 hrs, respectively. The pigs were divided into three groups to receive 0.25 g·kg−1·hr−1, 0.08 g·kg−1·hr−1, or no Intralipid, starting at time t = 0. Heart rate and mean arterial, central venous, and pulmonary arterial pressures were recorded continuously. Core temperature, arterial blood gases, mixed venous oxygen saturation, pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure, and cardiac output were measured intermittently. Thromboxane B2concentrations were measured at baseline and at 60, 75, 120, 135, 180, 195, and 240 mins. Data are expressed as mean ± sd. Groups were compared by using repeated analysis of variance, withp< .05 used for statistical significance.Measurements and Main ResultsAll pigs completed the 4-hr study. Marked variabilities were noted for individual pigs. Following the infusion of endotoxin, compared with baseline, there was a significant increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and a decrease in Pao2(p< .001 andp< .008, respectively). This response was not affected by the increasing dose of diisopropyl phenol, nor were there differences between the Intralipid and control groups. Pao2remained significantly lower in all groups, compared with the baseline measurements (p< .001) over the 4 hrs of the experiment. Thromboxane B2concentrations remained elevated compared with baseline and were significantly higher (p< .05) in the high-dose Intralipid group, compared with the low-dose and the control groups, during the last hour of the experiment.ConclusionsSmall doses of endotoxin, when given to pigs, induce major perturbations of cardiopulmonary function. Neither Intralipid, high vs. low dose, nor diisopropyl phenol, at sedating vs. anesthetizing doses, worsened the physiologic derangement associated with the stress of low-dose endotoxemia.