Effects of prostaglandins E1 and F2a on the swine pulmonary circulation.

Abstract

SummaryThe effects of PGF2α and PGE1 on the swine pulmonary circulation were studied using a new right heart catheterization technique. Infusion of PGF2α into the lobar artery increased lobar arterial pressure but did not change pressures in the small lobar vein or the left atrium. Infusion of PGE1 into the lobar artery decreased lobar arterial pressure but did not alter pressure in the small lobar vein or the left atrium. These results indicate that under conditions of controlled blood flow in the swine PGF2α increases pulmonary vascular resistance by actively constricting vessels upstream from the small lobar veins. Present results show that PGE1 decreases pulmonary vascular resistance in this species by actively dilating vessels upstream from small lobar veins, presumably the lobar arteries. It is concluded that in the swine pulmonary circulation the precapillary vessels are very responsive to prostaglandins E1 and F2α.