Prostaglandin E1 in severe lower limb ischaemia: a double-blind controlled trial.

Thirty patients with ischaemic ulceration or rest pain due to lower limb atherosclerosis were treated with intravenous prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or placebo in a prospective double-blind controlled trial. There was no significant improvement of rest pain, nor was PGE1 effective in promoting ulcer healing. This study provides no support for the use of intravenous PGE1 in the treatment of end-stage lower limb atherosclerotic disease.