[Controlled long-term blood pressure measurement with intravenous prostaglandin E1 infusion]

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study and a follow-up open study with 48 patients between 22 and 87 years of age with peripheral occlusive arterial disease in Fontaine's stage II and IV, the systolic, diastolic and mean pressure and heart rate were studied during intravenous infusion of 40 mcg prostaglandin-E1. This normal therapeutic dose did not have any clinical relevant effect on the blood pressure or cause any significant changes versus placebo in the individual variables measured. Local irritation involving the veins was observed in 6 patients, 1 patient dropped out because of nausea.