Objective: To report an adult trauma patient fatality related to propofol administration.
Design: Retrospective case review.
Setting: Trauma intensive care unit (ICU) in a level one trauma center.
Patient: An 18-yr-old man involved in a motor vehicle crash.
Interventions: Treatment for multiple trauma injuries and propofol sedation.
Measurements and main results: Posttrauma ICU monitoring was performed. The patient developed cardiac arrhythmia, metabolic acidosis, and cardiac failure, which resulted in death.
Conclusion: Death related to propofol infusion can occur in adults as well as in pediatric patients.