[Are there pulmonary vascular or respiratory effects of prostaglandin vehicles (ethanol, glycine buffer) after intravenous infusion or inhalation?].

BACKGROUND

Infusion or inhalation of prostaglandins PGE1 and PGI2 is used to reduce vascular resistance. PGE1 and PGI2 are dissolved in ethanol and glycine buffer, respectively. Each vehicle may cause dose-dependent haemodynamic and respiratory side effects. This study was performed to examine the role of low-dose ethanol and glycine buffer as used for the infusion and inhalation of PGE1 and PGI2.

METHODS

Two groups of pigs (ethanol and glycine group, n = 9 each) were anaesthetised and ventilated mechanically. Ethanol was given at 0.14 mg/kg/min by infusion and 0.12 mg/kg/min as aerosol, glycine buffer was infused at 3.8 microg/kg/min and inhaled at 3.1 microg/kg/min, respectively. Haemodynamic and respiratory data were recorded before and after application.

RESULTS

Neither infusion nor inhalation of ethanol or glycine buffer caused significant changes in systemic and pulmonary haemodynamics, right heart function, oxygenation or ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of inhaled or intravenously infused PGE1 and PGI2 is not influenced by their preparations containing ethanol or glycine buffer.