Pulmonary and Antiaggregatory Effects of Prostacyclin after Inhalation and Intravenous Infusion

Abstract
Prostacyclin (PGI2) was administered by inhalation (50 .mu.g/min) and i.v. infusion (15 ng/kg/min) in 5 healthy male volunteers. Irrespective of the route of administration, this substance had no effects on respiratory indices studied, whereas a significant inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation and a fall in vascular resistance could be demonstrated. Mainly because of the latter action, PGI2, or a stable synthetic analog, might become a potent drug in various pathological conditions, in which hypertension of various causes is a problem.