Influence of PGE1 on renal function in severe hemorrhagic shock

The influence of intravenously administered PGE1 on renal function in standardized hemorrhagic shock in dogs was examined in this study. Infusion rates as high as 1.04 micrograms/min/kg were evaluated. Although arterial blood levels as high as 2.47 ng/ml of plasma compared to control values of less than 0.20 ng/ml were attained during postreinfusion treatment, no beneficial influences on renal functional parameters (hemodynamics, electrolyte and water handling) were observed. In fact, treated animals took up blood from the arterial reservoir more quickly and expired sooner following blood transfusion than an untreated series. A further deleterious change in renal function was a decrease in renal concentrating capability. It is concluded that with the severe grade of hemorrhagic shock employed in these studies, organ blood perfusion was restricted to the extent of limiting effective PGE action.