The clinical and biochemical effects of propofol infusion with and withoutEDTA for maintenance anesthesia in healthy children undergoing ambulatory surgery

We conducted this randomized, double-blinded, comparative, parallel-group s tudy to determine whether adding EDTA to propofol would affect the clinical profile, calcium and magnesium homeostasis, or renal function in healthy c hildren. After the induction of anesthesia with halothane, 69 ambulatory su rgical patients (1 mo to < 17 yr old), received propofol without EDTA (n = 33) or propofol with EDTA (n = 36). Blood samples were obtained for the mea surement of ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, and laboratory indicators o f renal function. Hemodynamic measurements, recovery, and adverse events we re recorded. Propofol with EDTA produced no significant effects on clinical efficacy or renal function. Propofol and propofol EDTA produced a statisti cally significant decrease from baseline in serum concentrations of ionized calcium and magnesium during infusion (P <0.05), but with no apparent clin ical effect. Hemodynamic measurements generally remained stable and were si milar for both groups. Statistically significant changes in systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were not considered clinic ally significant. Adverse events were mild or moderate. The addition of EDT A does not alter the clinical profile of propofol in pediatric ambulatory s urgical patients. With or without EDTA, propofol is associated with a decre ase in ionized calcium with no apparent clinical effect.