The disposition of the intravenous anesthetic propofol was studied when administered as a constant rate infusion at 3, 6, and 9 mg.kg-1.hr-1 for at least 2 hr to three groups of six patients each undergoing surgery under regional anesthesia. Arterial blood samples were collected at selected times during and up to 8 hr after infusion. Whole blood propofol concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Using a non-linear least-squares regression analysis, the individual data sets were best fitted by a three-compartment open mamillary model with central elimination in 17 patients. In one patient a biexponential equation was more appropriate. Derived pharmacokinetic parameters expressed as mean values +/- SD indicated an initial fast distribution (t1/2 pi; 2.8 +/- 1.2 min), with an intermediate phase (t1/2 alpha; 31.4 +/- 14.7 min), and a long terminal phase (t1/2 beta; 355 +/- 227 min), a large volume of distribution at steady state (Vss, 287 +/- 213 L), and a high blood clearance (Clb, 1.7 +/- 0.3 L/min). The function of drug in the central compartment in the terminal phase was low (Fc, 0.02). The elimination rate constant (K10, 0.1190 +/- 0.0351 min-1) was large compared with the other transfer rate constants and was responsible for the large amount of drug eliminated during distribution. The fraction of drug eliminated during the terminal phase amounted to 0.28. The slow return of drug from remote tissues (K31, 0.0033 +/- 0.0013 min-1) was rate limiting in the ultimate elimination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)