Cp50 of propofol with and without nitrous oxide 67%.
The target concentration of propofol required to prevent response to surgical incision was determined in 60 unpremedicated ASA I or II patients, who breathed either oxygen-enriched air or nitrous oxide 67% in oxygen. Propofol was infused using a target-controlled infusion system incorporating the standard 'Diprifusor' pharmacokinetic model, with the target concentration for each patient decided by up/down sequential allocation. Presence or absence of movement in response to a groin incision was determined by the surgeon. The calculated blood concentration at which 50% of patients responded (Cp50calc), determined by probit analysis, was 6.8 micrograms ml-1 for patients who breathed oxygen-enriched air and 4.9 micrograms ml-1 for those who breathed nitrous oxide 67% in oxygen.