Intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in management of limb ischemia.

Twenty-three patients who had advanced arteriosclerotic disease of the lower extremities as manifested by rest pain, nonhealing ischemic ulcers, or impending gangrene and who were not candidates for direct arterial revascularization procedure underwent intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Thirty-nine per cent of the patients showed subjective and/or objective improvement in the blood supply, and in 22 per cent (5 patients) amputation was avoided. Complications were minor and disappeared once the infusion was discontinued. PGE1 in prescribed dosages can be safely infused intravenously. Even though the results are not as encouraging as when PGE1 is given by the intra-arterial route, IV therapy improves the ischemic symptoms and avoids the necessity of amputation in some patients.