HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS OF A SINGLE INTRAVENOUS APPLICATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN E-1 ON PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART-FAILURE NYHA CLASS II III/

We investigated the hemodynamic effects of a single infusion of PGE(1) (60 mu g infused over a period of 2 h - this is the single dose used in courses of treatment for peripheral occlusive arterial disease) in patients with chronic heart failure NYHA class II-III. The ejection fr action of these patients was < 55 %, their average age was 58.4 years (standard deviation 10 years), and their condition was stable. Ninetee n of the patients had coronary heart disease and one patient had myoca rditis. The hemodynamic data were obtained invasively by catheterizati on of the right and left heart. Blood pressure and pulse rate were mea sured manually. Intravenous infusion of 60 mu g PGE(1) over a period o f 2 hours did not significantly alter contractility or hemodynamics. D p/dtmax, dp/dtmax/p, and dp/dt DP40, which are parameters of left vent ricular contractility,determined with the aid of a catheter-tip manome ter, did not differ significantly over time from those in the placebo control group. Similarly, the other data furnished no evidence that ad ministration of PGE(1) had any hemodynamic or myocardial effects. Henc e, it is reasonable to state that it is safe to administer PGE(1) to p atients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease.