Hemodynamic effects of iloprost, a prostacyclin analog

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Iloprost is a chemically stable carbaprostacyclin derivative. Its hemodynamic effects were studied in 10 intensive care unit patients. Iloprost was infused i.v. for 3 days to treat advanced obliterative lower arterial disease. Clinically significant hemodynamic responses were obtained with an 0.5 ng/kg per min infusion rate. All subjects tolerated the 4 ng/kg per min dose which increased heart rate an average of 11% and cardiac index an average of 26%. This infusion rate decreased mean arterial pressure by 15%, total peripheral resistance by 31% and pulmonary vascular resistance by 34%. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, left and right ventricular stroke work indices and rate pressure product did not change. At higher doses of up to 8 ng/kg per min, responses were augmented only slightly, but side effects such as headache, nausea and abdominal colics became more prominent. The data show iloprost to be a potent vasodilator that reduces both pre- and afterload and presumably induces a compensatory increase in cardiac output and heart rate, but does not increase the work load or O2 demand of the heart.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: