Propofol Infusion Syndrome: A Life Threatening Condition Blunted by Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Propofol is a common intensive care unit anesthetic which was approved by FDA in 1989. It possesses sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties. Case reports of Propofol related infusion syndrome (PRIS) started in early 1990s. Reported signs and symptoms included acute refractory bradycardia, severe metabolic acidosis, cardiovascular collapse, lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, hyperlipidemia, renal failure, and hepatomegaly. It is associated with both high dose cumulative and short-term infusions. This case report highlights the development of PRIS in a patient admitted to the ICU, symptoms of which were assumed to be blunted because of continuous renal replacement therapy support.