Hemodynamic effects of prolonged infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) after hemorrhagic shock.

Although one-hour infusions of prostaglandin E1 to animals suffering from hemorrhagic shock have proved beneficial, there is question as to whether the improved hemodynamics can be sustained over a longer infusion time. Following reinfusion of shed blood, an infusion of PGE1 at a dose of 1 microgram/kg/minute showed a significant elevation in cardiac output and left ventricular stroke work and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance when compared to animals receiving only an equal volume of normal saline. There was no diminution in the hemodynamic activity of the drug over the entire infusion period. These data indicate that the drug might be appropriate for hemodynamic support in the clinical situation, where infusion times of greater than one hour are often necessary.