Improvement of peripheral and cardiopulmonary performance after a short-term exercise program with additive prostaglandin E1

In patients with intermittent claudication, the walking distance can be increased, both by means of several months of intensive training and administration of IV prostaglandin E 1 (PGE1) for 4 weeks. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate whether the combination of intensive training and PGE 1 infusions during pedalergometry can increase peripheral and cardiopulmonary performance after 2 weeks. Ten patients with intermittent claudication received a once-daily intravenous infusion of 60 μg PGE1 over 2 hours during pedalergometry. In addition, a physical training program was carried out mornings and afternoons, as well as progressive treadmill training. Walking distance (3 km/h, 12%) and cardiopulmonary perfor mance were determined at the beginning and end of the 2-week treatment. Results were compared with those of a historical control group having received a similar training program without PGE1. The initial walking distance increased from 71 to 166 m (134%). At the same time, peak work load...