The cardiovascular and platelet effects of epoprostenol (prostacyclin, PGI2) are unaffected by beta-adrenoceptor blockade in man.

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Abstract
1 Atenolol 0.2 mg/kg i.v., propranolol 0.2 mg/kg i.v. or placebo were given in a double‐blind crossover study to six healthy male subjects, and the effects of a subsequent infusion of epoprostenol (prostacyclin, PGI2) 0‐6 ng kg‐1 min‐1 monitored. 2 PGI2 caused a tachycardia, a fall in diastolic blood pressure, a rise in pulse pressure, reduction in pre‐ ejection period (PEP) and rise in left ventricular ejection time index (LVETI), headache and facial flushing at doses of PGI2 greater than 2 ng kg‐1 min‐1, (P less than 0.05). 3 Beta‐adrenoceptor blockade did not prevent the tachycardia in response to PGI2, and did not interact with any of the other dynamic effects of PGI2. 4 In vitro, PGI2 at 1 and 2 ng/ml inhibited platelet aggregation to ADP (P less than 0.01), although no significant effect on platelet aggregation was seen in the in vivo study. Atenolol and propranolol at a final concentration of 1 microgram/ml did not affect this in vitro study. Atenolol and propranolol at a final concentration of 1 microgram/ml did not affect in vitro effect of PGI2 on platelet aggregation. 5 Pretreatment with atropine 0.04 mg/kg i.v. in three subjects did not attenuate the tachycardia caused by PGI2 infusion, even though the baseline heart rate was increased. 6 Adverse effects to PGI2 infusion included sudden bradycardia, pallor and sweating, suggesting that the Bezold‐Jarisch reflex seen in animals in response to PGI2 may also occur in humans. 7 Neither increased sympathetic drive nor vagal withdrawal are likely causes of the tachycardia following PGI2 infusion.