INCIDENCE OF COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING PROPOFOL INDUCTION IN ANESTHESIA, PATIENTS

Abstract

Propofol is a popular intravenous anesthetic drug for inducing general anesthesia due to its quick onset, short duration of action, and acceptable recovery profile. However, its administration is usually linked with cardiovascular and respiratory problems, which might jeopardize patient safety throughout the induction phase. The purpose of this prospective observational research was to establish the occurrence of problems after propofol induction and assess their relationship to patient characteristics and perioperative variables. From March to July 2026, the study was carried out at the Operation Theatre of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Haripur, Pakistan. A convenience sampling method was used to enroll 100 patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with propofol induction.Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were utilized to identify relationships. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, 84% of individuals had problems, with 16% experiencing no adverse events. The most prevalent problem was hypotension (35%), followed by tachycardia (16%), hypertension (13%), bradycardia (7%), injection discomfort (7%), hypoxia (5%), and respiratory depression (1%). The majority of problems occurred during the first five minutes following induction (59%). BMI (p=0.001), premedication (p=0.041), and the time of complication onset (p=0.001) all had statistically significant relationships with the risk of complications, but age (p=0.269), gender (p=0.450), ASA status (p=0.066), and comorbidities (p=0.245) did not. Eighty-six percent of patients recovered on schedule after receiving appropriate therapies. According to the data, hypotension is the most common consequence after propofol induction, especially in obese individuals and those using antihypertensive medicines. Close hemodynamic monitoring and rapid treatment during the first few minutes after induction are critical for minimizing adverse events and improving perioperative patient safety.