Gas chromatography–mass spectrometric assay for propofol in cerebrospinal fluid of traumatic brain patients

A sensitive gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for measuring propofol in cerebrospinal fluid is described, validated and applied to four patients after traumatic brain injury. The limit of quantitation was 2 μg/L using a volume of 0.5 mL. The inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 5.9 and 5.1%, respectively. The assay covers the linear concentration range of 2–50 μg/L, which is relevant in clinical pharmacokinetic studies when propofol is used in the Intensive Care Unit as a sedative agent or to lower the intracranial pressure.