Propofol reduces tissue-Doppler markers of left ventricle function: a transthoracic echocardiographic study

The results indicate that myocardial contractile function is compromised concomitantly with reduced cyclic displacement after propofol dosing. Blood pressure declined accordingly. From these results, it is impossible to ascertain whether this was secondary to reduced cardiac filling or a consequence of a direct negative inotropic action of propofol, but it represents a left-shift of the Starling curve. The novel TDE yields new information on myocardial velocities and motion.