A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF PROSTAGLANDIN E2 AND SALBUTAMOL BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ON THE AIRWAYS OBSTRUCTION OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

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Abstract
The effects of intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were studied in ten asthmatic patients and compared with the effects of intravenous salbutamol. PGE2 at infusion rates of 5, 10 and 20 μg/min for three 15 min periods resulted in a small bronchodilator effect in four patients, bronchoconstriction in four, and had no measurable effect on FEV1 in two patients; side effects were frequent and it was concluded that PGE2 was unsuitable for use in the management of attacks of asthma. In the same subjects bronchodilatation occurred during infusion of salbutamol at flow rates of 5, 10 and 20 μg/min (six patients), 10, 20 and 40 μg/min (two patients) and 20, 40 and 80 μg/min (two patients). Serious cardiovascular effects were not encountered at flow rates of less than 20 μg/minute.