NON-INVASIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF PROSTACYCLIN (PGI2) IN MAN

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (2) , 73-80
Abstract
The cardiovascular actions of prostacyclin (PGI2) were investigated in a double-blind, randomized, balanced study. Six healthy volunteers received i.v. infusions of PGI2 in a range of doses up to 4 ng/kg per min, which is the lowest dose which consistently inhibits platelet aggregation. Measurements of systolic time intervals, peak normalized 1st derivative of the apexcardiogram, high-speed surface ECG and arterial blood pressure were made during each infusion. PGI2 caused dose-related decreases in diastolic blood pressure, preejection period and QS2 index and an increase in heart rate. Systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection time index, the peak normalized 1st derivative of the apexcardiogram, PR interval, QRS duration, QT index and T-wave amplitude were unchanged. Facial flushing was seen in all subjects at PGI2 4 ng/kg per min. PGI2 apparently has an important arteriolar vasodilator action and may have a minor direct effect on contractility. [Toxicity of PGI2 was discussed.].