Effect of Prostaglandin E2 and F2α on the Systemic and Pulmonary Circulation in Pregnant Anesthetized Women

The hemodynamic effect of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was studied in 12 healthy volunteers admitted for suction abortion at 10–12 weeks of gestation. They were anesthetized using natrium thiomebumal, pethidine and pancuronium bromide. PGF2α was given as an intravenous infusion of 100 μg/min, the dose being increased by 100 μg every 10 min to a maximum of 300 μg/min. PGE2 was administered with 5 μg/min, the dose being increased by 5 μg every 10 min to a maximum of 15 μg/min.During infusion of 300 μg PGF2α a significant increase in cardiac output and femoral arterial pressure of 40% and 25% respectively was measured together with an increase in the pulmonary arterial pressure (125%). Pulmonary vascular resistance was doubled, with a concomitant decrease in systemic resistance (11%). These changes were followed by a significant decrease in pH and PaO2, whereas an increase in PaCO2 was found.During infusion of PGE2 a significant, 36% increase in cardiac output was measured during ...