Propofol: I need a calculator!

February 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm | Posted in Autopsy Report, Drugs, Facts & Investigation | 1 Comment
Tags: Autopsy Report, diprivan, Drugs, hoax death, michael jackson, propofol

According to the autopsy report, on June 29^th 2009, 11 empty vials of Propofol 1% injectable emulsion were seized at the scene, 3 – 100 mL vials and 8 – 20 mL vials, totaling 460 mL of Propofol.

According to www.drugs.com, Propofol injectable emulsion is a sterile, nonpyrogenic emulsion containing 10 mg/mL of Propofol suitable for intravenous administration. Consequently, in 460 mL of emulsion there are 4600 mg of Propofol.

The recommended dosage of Propofol for INDUCTION of anesthesia in adult patients under 55 years of age is 2 to 2.5 mg/kg of Propofol. According to the AR, MJ weighted 136 pounds, which converts to 61.20 kg. Consequently, 2.5 mg x 61.20 kg = 153 mg of Propofol had to be used for induction, leaving 4447 mg of Propofol available for maintenance.

The recommended dosage of Propofol for MAINTENANCE of anesthesia (in cases of continuous infusion) in adults is 50 to 100 mcg/kg/min (1000 mcg = 1 mg). Considering the maximum dosage (100 mcg), for a 61.20 kg patient, 367 mg of Propofol are needed per hour (100 mcg x 61.20 kg x 60 m = 367200 mcg / 1000 = 367 mg) to maintain anesthesia status.

Considering there were 4447 mg of Propofol left after induction and that all the vials were empty, it should be considered that MJ was kept under anesthesia for over 12 hours (4447 mg / 367 mg = 12.11 hours), which even stretching the timeline provided by the LAPD is NOT POSSIBLE.

According to the autopsy report, “the levels of Propofol found on toxicology exam are similar to those found during general anesthesia for major surgery with Propofol infusions, after a bolus injection”, so a major overdose didn’t occur.

Are we therefore supposed to believe that Dr. Murray kept empty vials of Propofol for days at a time instead of properly disposing of them? Or were the empty vials of Propofol “planted” in the scene to make this a case about drugs?