Anesthesiology
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Propofol has been used for the maintenance of anesthesia. The effects of propofol infusion on splanchnic hemodynamics and liver oxygen consumption, however, have not been reported. In the current investigation, the authors studied the effects of a continuous infusion of propofol on systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics using a new method to measure liver oxygen consumption in awake control and anesthetized rats. ⋯ The maintenance of anesthesia using an infusion of propofol resulted in an increase in liver oxygen consumption that was fully compensated for by an increase in oxygen delivery to the liver. Splanchnic hemodynamics and liver oxygenation are not adversely affected during maintenance of anesthesia with propofol in the normal rat.