A comparison of the effects of prostaglandin E(2) and salbutamol by intravenous infusion on the airways obstruction of patients with asthma.

1 The effects of intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) were studied in ten asthmatic patients and compared with the effects of intravenous salbutamol. 2 PGE(2) at infusion rates of 5, 10 and 20 μg/min for three 15 min periods resulted in a small bronchodilator effect in four patients, bronchoconstriction in four, and had no measurable effect on FEV(1) in two patients; side effects were frequent and it was concluded that PGE(2) was unsuitable for use in the management of attacks of asthma. 3 In the same subjects bronchodilatation occurred during infusion of salbutamol at flow rates of 5, 10 and 20 μg/min (six patients), 10, 20 and 40 μg/min (two patients) and 20, 40 and 80 μg/min (two patients). Serious cardiovascular effects were not encountered at flow rates of less than 20 μg/minute.