Contaminacion of propofol exposed to different ambient temperatures

Abstract

Introduction: Propofol is a fast-acting, short-acting intravenous anesthetic agent used in human and veterinary medicine to induce and maintain general anesthesia. Because of its poor water solubility, it is formulated with a water-in-oil emulsion containing 10% soybean oil and 1.2% egg lecithin. This emulsion is isotonic, non-irritating and has a neutral pH. Due to its liposolubility and the absence of antimicrobial agents in its composition, propofol is prone to microbial contamination. This risk can arise during the stages of handling, storage and administration of the drug. According to Cuevas, Mancillas, & Muñoz (2019) indicates that Propofol contamination usually originates from external sources. The use in infusions in several patients (multidose) and error during handling can favor bacterial growth. In the field of veterinary medicine, information about the risks of Propofol contamination under high ambient temperature conditions is limited. Previous research has linked propofol contamination to various factors, such as handling and reuse of the anesthetic. How ambient temperature influences microbial growth in propofol is not yet fully elucidated.  Objective: To verify whether or not there is contamination in propofol placed in syringes exposed to different ambient temperatures. With this, to improve the management of propofol in syringes. Methodology: For the development of this work, experimental research was used by means of a transversal and quasi-experimental study because relevant data will be taken according to the degree of temperature in the different areas of the Veterinary Clinic. Two brands of propofol were used and 15 samples of each one were taken, having 30 total samples for the study, which were divided into three trials placed in three different spaces within the clinic with their respective hygrometer to record the minimum and maximum temperature to which the propofol samples were subjected during 10 days, After this, the samples were sent to the microbiological laboratory SEIDLA located in the city of Quito, where an aerobic count was performed to determine whether or not there is contamination of propofol due to the effect of the ambient temperature. Results: The average of the highest temperatures recorded is 29.79 °C, belonging to the samples from space 3, and the lowest temperature recorded is 25.72 °C, corresponding to the samples from space 1. In general, some variability is observed in the temperatures recorded among the different samples and spaces. However, the reports sent by the SEIDLA laboratory indicate results of <10UFC in all the samples sent. Conclusions: According to the results issued by the laboratory we can conclude that the samples used in the test were not contaminated by the influence of the ambient temperature inside the clinic. Area of study: Veterinary medicine