Intra-Arterial Infusion of Prostaglandin E₁ in Normal Subjects and Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

Nielsen, P. E., Levin Nielsen, S., Holstein, P., Lönsmann Poulsen, H., Hart Hansen, E. & Lassen, N. A. Intra-Arterial Infusion of Prostaglandin E₁ in Normal Subjects and Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. Scand. J. clin. Lab. Invest. 36, 633–640, 1976.

Acute vasodilatation was produced by infusion of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) in the femoral artery in 6 patients with occlusive arterial disease of the legs and in 3 normal subjects. The effect on blood flow and on blood pressure was measured at different segments of the leg with the strain gauge technique, isotope clearance technique, and photoelectric technique. Skin temperature was measured at different levels by using thermocouples. The blood pressure on the legs decreased at all segments during vasodilatation as well in patients as in controls. The blood flow increased in all segments in normal controls. In patients the blood flow increased proximally in the legs. Distally, however, no increase could be demonstrated. As a good effect of PGE₁ on ischaemic rest pains has been reported, mechanisms other than vasodilatation should probably be considered.

Key Words:

• Distal blood flow
• distal blood pressure
• isotope clearance technique
• photoelectrical plethysmography
• prostaglandin (PGE₁)
• strain gauge plethysmog-raphy
• vasodilating drugs