Haemodynamics, rheology and mechanism of action of iloprost in man

Ten patients (8 males, 2 females) suffering from peripheral obliterative arterial disease (POAD) underwent intravenous administration of Iloprost (2-4 ng/kg/min); each infusion lasted 20 minutes. Assessment of peripheral haemodynamics of haemorheological and metabolic effects and evaluation of variations in tissue O2 transport induced by Iloprost were performed before, at the end, and at regular intervals after the infusion. The i.v. infusion at the dose of 4 ng/kg/min did not induce any variations in regional blood flow. Oxygen extraction per cent (whole lower limb) decreased. Intraerythrocyte 2,3DPG increased, and contemporarily p50 increased indicating a reduction in O2 affinity of haemoglobin; a decrease in blood viscosity associated with an increase in whole blood filterability was recorded. Haematocrit and fibrinogen values did not change. These findings support the use of Iloprost in patients with peripheral vascular disease.