Surgery increases fetal plasma prostacyclin.
Pulmonary arterial prostacyclin (as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) concentrations of near term, fetal lambs and goats were determined following fetal surgery and 24, 48, and 72 hrs later. Blood gases, pH, and arterial pressure were determined also. At the end of 2.5 hrs of surgery including exteriorization of the uterus and fetal thoracotomy, pulmonary arterial concentration of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was 948 +/- 80 (SEM) pg/ml of blood. Twenty-four hrs later it had fallen to 435 +/- 92 pg/ml and remained constant for the duration of monitoring. Maternal arterial 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration was much lower (105 +/- 20 pg/ml of blood). No significant changes in fetal PaO2, PaCO2, pH, or arterial pressure were observed, although PaCO2 appeared to be elevated and pH reduced following surgery. These values normalized within 24 hrs. We conclude that surgical perturbation increases fetal arterial prostacyclin concentration. Increased prostacyclin levels are transient, reaching stable values within 24 hrs following completion of extensive surgery.
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D006041:Goats; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000097:blood*; D012756:Sheep; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000662:veterinary*
D011453:Prostaglandins; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D011464:Epoprostenol