Intracarotid propofol testing: A comparative study with amobarbital

Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent the Wada test using propofol as anesthetic were compared with 15 randomly selected patients who were tested using amobarbital. Time to verbal and nonverbal responses and time to motor power 3/5 did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). The number of doses received by each patient and the percentage of patients needing more than one dose were significantly greater in the propofol group (P < 0.005). Only one patient developed confusion, combativeness, and agitation. Despite the need for multiple doses, our patients had no residual drowsiness within 10 to 15 minutes of the propofol injection. This allowed us to perform the test on both sides on the same day separated only by 45 minutes. Propofol is an effective alternative to amobarbital in the Wada test, and may be used successfully in multiple repeated injections within the same test without significant residual sedation or significant adverse effects.