BACKGROUND: Propofol has been advocated for sedation in intensive care because 
of superior recovery characteristics. We hypothesised that the use of two 
totally different sedation methods after coronary artery bypass grafting should 
result in differences not only in extubation time, but also in breathing pattern 
and gas exchange during weaning and after extubation.
METHODS: Thirty patients participated in this randomised and controlled study. 
We used propofol infusion and oxycodone-thiopental bolus dosage, titrated to 
sedation level 4 or 5 according to Ramsey. Weaning was performed using 
protocol-based pressure support trials.
RESULTS: Total (SD) fentanyl dose during operation was 33 (6) microg x kg(-1) 
for propofol and 34 (6) microg x kg(-1) for oxycodone-thiopental (ns). The 
target sedation was achieved equally with both methods. The time from admission 
to intensive care unit to extubation was 494 (100) min for propofol and 521 (98) 
min for oxycodone-thiopental (ns). Weaning times were 63 (24) min and 112 (63) 
min in the propofol and oxycodone-thiopental groups, respectively (P<0.05). 
Breathing frequency increased and tidal volume decreased from weaning to 2 h 
postextubation.
CONCLUSION: Propofol infusion and oxycodone-thiopental bolus dosages, titrated 
to the same sedation end point, resulted in similar time from admission to 
extubation, although the weaning period was shorter in the propofol group. In 
terms of breathing pattern, gas exchange, blood gases and haemodynamics, the 
methods were similar. Propofol, despite its attractive pharmacological profile, 
may offer no clinical benefit in short-term sedation after a moderate dose 
fentanyl anaesthesia in cardiac surgery.