Comparison of the effects of prostaglandins E1 and A1 on coronary occlusion induced arrhythmia

The present study compares the effects of PGE1 and PGA1 on ventricular arrhythmias following coronary artery occlusion. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded abruptly in 55 cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Lead II of the ECG along with arterial blood pressure were monitored for one hour after occlusion. Either vehicle or prostaglandin was infused into the left atrium (LA) or femoral vein (IV) 15 min prior to and for 1 hour after LAD occlusion at a rate of 0.15 ml/min. Prostaglandin was infused at either a high dose (1.0 microgram/kg/min) or a low dose (0.1 microgram/kg/min). Infusion of either PGE1 or PGA1 produced a marked fall in blood pressure and heart rate which returned toward control before occlusion. Abrupt occlusion of the LAD produced ventricular arrhythmia in all cats ranging from ventricular premature beats to ventricular fibrillation (VF). The control animals had a 38% incidence of VF. VF occurred in 75% of the animals in which PGE1 was administered into the LA at either the high or low dose while the occurrence in those administered PGA1 was 67% and 50%, respectively. Intravenous administration of the high dose of PGE1 or PGA1 resulted in VF in 13% and 67% of the animals after LAD occlusion, respectively. These data indicate that the IV administration of PGE1 may protect the heart from VF while the infusion of PGE1 or PGA1 into the LA may enhance VF after LAD occlusion.