The antiarrhythmic effect of PGE2 on premature ventricular beats (PVBs) in man

In 10 patients with premature ventricular beats (PVBs) we investigated the influence of PGE2 infusion on ventricular arrhythmias, arterial blood pressure, heart rate and systolic time intervals. An infusion of PGE2 in doses of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 microgram/kg/min, each for 10 min, did not change the blood pressure, heart rate and systolic time intervals. The incidence of PVBs decreased in a dose-dependent manner in 7 out of 10 patients, and in two of them PVBs were absolutely abolished. In one patient the incidence of PVBs was reduced dose independently, and in two patients at the beginning of infusion of PGE2 the incidence of PVBs was reduced, but the incidence of PVBs increased again although the infusion dose was doubled. In all patients the incidence of PVBs increased again when the infusion of PGE2 was stopped. Our findings demonstrate that PGE2 has antiarrhythmic properties in man.