British journal of clinical pharmacology
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Br J Clin Pharmacol · Aug 2005
Kidneys contribute to the extrahepatic clearance of propofol in humans, but not lungs and brain.
The principal site for the metabolism of propofol is the liver. However, the total body clearance of propofol is greater than the generally accepted hepatic blood flow. In this study, we determined the elimination of propofol in the liver, lungs, brain and kidneys by measuring the arterial-venous blood concentration at steady state in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ We have demonstrated substantial renal extraction of propofol in human. Metabolic clearance of propofol by the kidneys accounts for almost one-third of total body clearance and may be the major contributor to the extrahepatic elimination of this drug.