EFFECTS OF PROSTAGLANDIN E1 ON tcPo2 AND tcPco2 IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIOSCLEROSIS OBLITERANS

Abstract

Transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPo2) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (tcPco2) of the lower extremities were investigated in 12 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans throughout intravenous administration of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Levels of ΔtcPo2 and ΔtcPco2 were measured serietely 20min. before to 20min. after PGE1 infusion. The patients were divided into two groups; one consisted of six patients with ankle pressure indexes (APIs) of more than 0.5 and the other six with APIs of less than 0.5. There was a statistically significant correlation between API and tcPo2, but no correlation between API and tcPco2. ΔTcPo2 levels in patients with APIs of less than 0.5 increased to 8.22±5.07 and 9.07±4.33 at 10 and 15 minutes after the end of PGE1 infusion, respectively. ΔTcPco2 levels in patients with APIs of less than 0.5 decreased to 0.85±0.05, 0.80±0.07 and 0.73±0.06 at 10, 15 and 20 minutes after the end of PGE1 infusion, respectively. The changes of ΔtcPo2 and ΔtcPco2 in patients with APIs of more than 0.5 were minimal. There were no statistically significant differences between ΔtcPo2 and ΔtcPco2 levels found above and below the femoral arterial occlusion, though ΔtcPo2 levels, after the end of the PGE1 infusion in the distal femoral arterial occlusion, were higher than those in the proximal femoral arterial occlusion. These results suggest that the intravenous PGE1 infusion is effective in patients with APIs of less than 0.5 and/or with distal femoral arterial occlusion.