Prostacyclin and prostanoid modifiers aid ischemic skin flap survival.
Prostacyclin, the stable prostacyclin analogue carbacyclin, the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor UK-38,485, and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor dipyridamole were tested on rabbit epigastric free flaps for their ability to improve flap survival after a period of ischemia. Control flaps infused with a balanced salt solution had a 39.9% survival, whereas prostacyclin, carbacyclin, and dipyridamole significantly increased flap survival to 68.4% (P less than 0.05), 66.4% (P less than 0.05), and 66.9% (P less than 0.05), respectively. UK-38,485 improved survival slightly to 47.6% although not significantly. The improved flap survival correlated with the vasodilatory properties of the three successful agents whereas the antithrombotic properties of UK-38,485 were not sufficient, on their own, to increase flap survival.
Knight
K R
KR
Microsurgery Research Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Kawabata
H
H
Coe
S A
SA
Angus
J A
JA
O'Brien
B M
BM
Sakai
K
K
D000818:Animals; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007511:Ischemia; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013930:Thromboxane-A Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D007093:Imidazoles; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic; C039242:dazmegrel; D004176:Dipyridamole; C026678:carboprostacyclin; D011464:Epoprostenol; D013930:Thromboxane-A Synthase