INTRODUCTIONMany physiological changes occur during the administration an anesthetic agent intravenously. Amongst them, most important changes occur in the hemodynamics of the patients mainly blood pressure and heart rate. Although propofol is preferred over thiopentone sodium for induction of anesthesia but one of the disadvantages of propofol is significant hypotension.A typical induction dose of propofol 2 mg/kg results in approximately 30% reduction in systolic blood pressure. The hypotensive effect of propofol is attributable to a decrease in sympathetic activity, direct vasodilatation and myocardial depression.2 Blood concentration of propofol depends on many factors such as age, gender, body weight, dose, cardiac output and infusion rate.2-4 Dose requirements of propofol induction depend on patient characteristics and infusion rate. 4 Cardiac output (CO) is ABSTRACT Background: The hypotensive effect of propofol is attributable to a decrease in sympathetic activity, direct vasodilatation and myocardial depression. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of propofol when injected at different speeds for induction of general anesthesia on the following parameters: blood pressure, time of induction of anesthesia, dose of propofol used.

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