Effect of intravenous prostaglandin E 2 on platelet function, coagulation, and fibrinolysis.

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) was infused intravenously to eight women for the termination of pregnancy and tests of platelet function: coagulation and fibrinolysis were studied before and during the infusion.Platelet adhesiveness, as measured by a cellophane membrane test-cell system, was significantly diminished by PGE(2), a change which was not noted by the glass-bead column technique. The administration of PGE(2) caused more rapid platelet disaggregation following ADP-induced aggregation but had no effect on the platelet count, collagen-induced aggregation, or platelet factor 3 activity. An increase in plasma antithrombin concentration and euglobulin lysis activity was also noted. These results support the concept that prostaglandin E(2) might have a role in the prevention of thrombosis.