Prostaglandin E1 as a pharmacoangiographic agent for arterial portography

The effects of increasing single selective doses of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on superior mesenteric arterial flow and portal and systemic blood pressures were studied in dogs to assess its value as a vasodilatory agent for pharmacoangiography. PGE1 consistently increased blood flow, with an average increase of 187%, but had minimal effect on portal and systemic blood pressure. 25 mug of PGE1 gave an ideal flow curve for pharmacoangiography, with a maximum effect 30 seconds after injection.