Abstract
Whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, whole blood and plasma passage time were all significantly decreased and shortened compared to pre-drug values after intravenously administered Iloprost, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, to patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease at a flow rate of 1ng/kg/min for 30 minutes once a day for seven consecutive days.
Plasminogen, antithrombin-III (ATIII) and α2-macroglobulin were significantly decreased along with inhibited platelet aggregation.
When Iloprost was administered once a day for 6 consecutive days, whole blood viscosity at low shear rate and fibrinogen were decreased significantly.
These findings suggest that Iloprost inhibits not only platelet aggregaton, but also stimulates fibrinolytic activity of blood and enhances blood fluidity and ameliorates microcirculation in the ischemic leg of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
