I am an RN, and one very specific point about the propofol (marketed also under brand name Diprivan). Initially, it was used only as a short acting agent to induce anesthesia in the OR. After the patient was no longer conscious with the propofol drip the endotracheal tube would be inserted. Once the endotracheal tube was in the proper place, and the airway was patent, the anesthesiologist, or nurse anesthetist, would stop the propofol, andother, longer acting anesthetic agents would be used.
After some time, propofol started to be used for anesthesia for some procedures. Usually, short procedures of less than one hour duration. Propofol will quickly put a person to sleep -from the time the drip starts to th moment when it is stopped. Patients wake up very quickly when the drip is stopped. There are some important things any responsible practitioner knows about propofol: 1. The therapeutic dose is very narrow, and is based on the patient's weight; 2. 0xygen is used, usually via nasal cannula, and an pulse oximeter is used to monitor the patient's oxygen levels; 3. Constant measurement of vital signs, most importantly respirations, must be done until the drip is stopped,and the patient is fully awake. So, the main point I am referring to is that Dr. Murray should have been aware of the narrow therapeutic range of propofol, and the necessity of monitoring vital signs. I have not heard any evidence yet that Dr. Murray did any ongoing monitoring on MJ.
Finally, I am intrigued by what effects MJ may have had from receiving the propofol on a nightly basis. It is meant to be used for procedures in a hospital, and that would not be something one has done daily. The info on it says it is excreted rapidly from the body. But, could propofol cause side effects when used improperly -such as the use with MJ? iDK, but am going tp try to get some info. It might explain the tape played yesterday, when MJ sounded so out of it. Bottom line -IMO -Dr. Murray should have known not to administer propofol at home, and for the sole purpose of sleep. If I were a juror I would find him criminally negligent, JMHO.
