title: Therapeutic use of PGA1 infusions in severe pre-eclampsia - a major clinical potential.
abstract: Pilot studies showed that, i.v. infusions of the renal prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) induced a triad of beneficial clinical responses in severe pre-eclampsia; the blood pressure became normotensive, renal function was markedly improved and labour was successfully induced. The present study was an attempt to develop a therapeutic schedule of PGA1 administration in severe toxemia. Twenty one cases of severe pre-eclampsia (in 3 equal groups) received i.v. infusions of PGA1 in a dose range of 0.1-0.5 microgram/kgm/min for 12 - 24 hours and the B.P., uterine activity and FHR were continuously monitored during and for 12 hours following the infusion period. The 0.1 microgram/Kgm/min dose for 12 hours was inadequate while 0.5 microgram/Kgm/min for 12 hours induced a good hypotensive response and the cases delivered within 48 hours but a post-infusion rebound in hypertension was observed. The dose of 0.5 microgram/Kgm/min for 24 hours appeared to be optimal in clinical terms since a satisfactory effect on B.P. was recorded and all the subjects delivered normal babies during the infusion period with minimal or no post-infusion rebound rise in B.P. This approach holds a major potential in the treatment of severe pre-eclampsia.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011255:Pregnancy Maintenance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011454:Prostaglandins A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D011454:Prostaglandins A; C100573:prostaglandin A1