Prostacyclin: a potentially valuable agent for preserving myocardial tissue in acute myocardial ischemia.

Prostacyclin, a potent, naturally occurring prostaglandin exerts a variety of cardiovascular and cellular actions of potential value in acute myocardial ischemia. These properties include the reduction of systemic blood pressure without changing heart rate, the lowering of coronary vascular and total peripheral resistance, the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the concomitant formation of thromboxane B2, and the reduction of the release of lysosomal enzymes.