Failure to Demonstrate Beneficial Effect of Prostacyclin (PGI2) Infusion on Red Blood Cell Deformability in Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease: A Possible Role of the Leukocytes

Abstract

The effect of prostacyclin (PGI₂) on red blood cell deformability is still con troversial. The authors have evaluated some hemorrheologic parameters during PGI₂ infusion to patients with severe obstructive peripheral arterial disease not suitable for surgery and not responsive to other medical treatments. PGI₂ infu sion resulted in a positive clinical effect in 12 of 16 patients, who experienced a significant improvement of their rest pain lasting from two days to more than seven months. Hematocrit, platelet count, and fibrinogen were not modified during PGI₂ infusion whereas leukocyte count rose significantly.

The evaluation of red blood cell filterability (VRBC) (volume of RBC filtered in one minute) by a whole blood filtration technique showed no significant changes during PGI₂ treatment. However, since whole blood filterability is nega tively correlated to leukocyte count, a specific regression line was elaborated to remove the potential negative influence of the increased leukocyte counts. VRBC values adjusted to a standard leukocyte number significantly increased during PGI₂ treatment.

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