SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ANGIOGRAPHY AND BLOOD FLOW FOLLOWING INTRA-ARTERIAL INJECTION OF PROSTAGLANDIN F2α

Abstract

The effect of intra-arterially administered prostaglandin F_2α(PGF_2α) on venous demonstration in angiography of the superior mesenteric artery was compared to that of bradykinin in 10 patients, and the flow increase in this vessel following PGF_2α was measured by a dye dilution technique in another 8 patients. The angiographic demonstration of veins was similarly improved by the 2 drugs, the effect of 60 µg. of PGF_2α being roughly equivalent to that of 10 µg. of bradykinin. The loss of arterial detail was less marked after PGF_2α which, however, had a longer duration of action. The flow studies indicated that 80 µg. of PGF_2α increased the superior mesenteric blood flow 103±16 per cent. There was no influence on blood pressure or pulse rate. The patients experienced a sensation of warmth in the abdomen for a few seconds following the injection of the drugs, but no other side effect was noted. It is concluded that PGF_2α causes a rapid increase of the superior mesenteric blood flow in man making it suitable for pharmacoangiography of this vascular bed.