Prostaglandin E1: a new approach for the treatment of occlusive arterial disease

ABSTRACT

Prostaglandin El [PGE1], an eicosanoid, has a favourable profile of actions in occlusive arterial disease after intra-arterial and intravenous administration. It causes vasodilatation, increases peripheral blood flow, inhibits platelet activation, improves RBC deformability, increases fibroblast fibrinolytic activity and reduces atherogenesis. PGE1 used in the treatment of occlusive arterial disease reduces the resting ischaemic pain, promotes healing of trophic lesions and may avoid the threatening amputation