The effect of prostaglandin E1 during cardiopulmonary bypass on renal function after cardiac surgery.

We have evaluated the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on renal function after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in 20 patients, ten of whom received 0.02 microgram.kg-1.min-1 of PGE1 by infusion into the oxygenator during bypass; ten patients served as controls. Serum beta 2-microglobulin fell significantly and urine beta 2-microglobulin increased significantly after surgery in both groups. Urine N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase was high after surgery in both groups, but it was significantly lower in the PGE1 group. Free water clearance fell significantly on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th postoperative days compared with preoperative values in the control but not in the PGE1 group. These results suggest that PGE1 may prevent renal dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass.