Propofol may be safely used in elderly patients provided that: hypovolaemia is corrected prior to procedure; a decrease in blood pressure of more than 25 per cent of the baseline value is treated with a sympathomimetic drug (e.g. ephedrine); bradycardia below 55 b.min-1 using atropine; not more than 5 mL (50 mg) of propofol are injected per minute; the induction dose does not exceed 1.5 mg.kg-1, with a possible further dose of 0.2 to 0.4 mg.kg-1, immediately prior to intubation; opioids are not administered before stabilization of blood pressure during the period proceeding intubation; nitrous oxide and halogenated anaesthetics are not used as long as haemodynamic parameters are unstable; the dose of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium antagonists is decreased or the drugs discontinued prior to surgery, depending upon their effect and their duration of action, except in cases of unstable angina or severe hypertension.