Comparative Study of Prostaglandin I2 and Prostaglandin E2 on Hemodynamics in Pregnant Dogs

Effects of intravenous injections of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), renal blood flow (RBF), and uterine blood flow (UBF) were investigated in the pregnant dog. A dose-dependent fall in MAP was observed with PGI2 and PGE2 (PGI2>PGE2). HR was almost unchanged by both prostaglandins. PGI2 and PGE2 produced increases in CO and RBF in a dose-dependent manner (PGI2>PGE2). PGI2 caused a dose-dependent decrease in UBF, while PGE2 caused an increase in UBF during the period without concomitant increase in intrauterine pressure (IUP) and a decrease in UBF during the period with concomitant increase in IUP. The possibility of treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension with PGI2 or PGE2 is discussed.