title: Intra-arterial prostaglandin e(1) infusion in patients with rest pain: short-term results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our results after short-term (1 month) intra-arterial infusion therapy of PGE₁-alprostadil via a port system implanted in the ipsilateral external iliac artery (EIA) in patients with severe rest pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with severe rest pain were included. All patients showed extensive peripheral vascular disease below the knee. The tip of the catheter was introduced via a retrograde puncture in the ipsilateral external iliac artery (EIA). The patients received intraarterial infusion of PGE₁, 20 mgr alprostadil daily, via the port catheter for 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical success was evaluated according to subjective grading of pain (group A significant decrease, group B moderate decrease and group C no response). A significant decrease of rest pain was observed in 8 (group A, 80%) patients, a moderate decrease in 2 (Group B, 20%), whereas no patients demonstrated any significant response. Both patients of group B had Buergers' disease and continue to smoke during therapy. No peripheral thrombosis or clinical deterioration was noticed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraarterial infusion of PGE₁ alprostadil on a daily basis, using a port catheter into the ipsilateral EIA, in selected patients with severe rest pain, seems to be very effective, without any serious complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, 76 Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatziioannou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalakidis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katsenis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koutoulidis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mourikis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000527:Alprostadil