Concentrations of Prostaglandin E₂ and F_2a in the Cardiovascular System of Infants with Persisting Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Summary

The distribution of prostaglandin E₂ and F_2a was examined in the peripheral veins and in several positions of the cardiovascular system before and after the blood had passed through the lungs in 37 infants.

Prostaglandin E₂ varied from 0.25 ± 0.09 ng/ml to 0.44 ± 0.09 ng/ml when measured in the pulmonary artery, the ductus arteriosus, the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, the left ventricle, the inferior vena cava and the descending aorta. Prostaglandin F_2a was much higher in these positions of the cardiovascular system.

The range was 0.99 ± 0.36 ng/ml to > 2.0 ng/ml. The vascular tissues produced virtually identical high amounts of prostaglandin E₂ and F_2a, but there were no significant differences in prostaglandin E₂ and F_2a concentrations, in venous blood as well as in systemic arterial blood.

The results suggest that prostaglandin E₂ is not responsible for the persisting patency of the ductus arteriosus in infants. There is no explanation for the increased prostaglandin F_2a concentrations in these patients.

Prostaglandin E ₂ and F _2a - Persisting Patent Ductus Arteriosus - Infants