Preliminary experience with prostaglandins E1 and I2 in peripheral vascular disease

Severe extremity ischemia frequently cannot be relieved by surgical means and failure of current drug therapy may then result in prolonged disability or amputation. Prostaglandins E1 (PGE1) and I2 (prostacyclin, PGI2) are potent vasodilators and inhibitors of platelet aggregation which have been reported to be of value in the treatment of peripheral ischemia. Nineteen patents with severe extremity ischemia and one with vasculitic leg ulceration were treated on 25 occasions by intravascular infusion of PGE1 or PGI2 for 72 to 96 hours. Causes of ischemia were arteriosclerosis, Raynaud's phenomenon (secondary), Buerger's disease, and "trash" foot. Prolonged pain relief and promotion of tissue healing occurred mainly in patents with patent proximal axial arteries. Patency of the superficial femoral artery was associated with a good clinical response in eight of nine cases of foot ischemia, and mean hallux temperature rose 4.6 +/- 2.5 degrees C. In contrast, occlusion of the artery was associated with failure in eight of nine cases, and hallux temperature rose 0.6 degrees +/- 1.3 degrees C. PGE1 or PGI2 administered intravenously may be the treatment of choice for severe ischemia in distal arteriopathy, although the exact mechanisms by which these prostaglandins act are far from clear.