Epoprostenol is a naturally occurring prostaglandin indicated for the preservation of platelet function during cardiopulmonary bypass, prevention of platelet aggregation during charcoal hemoperfusion of patients in hepatic failure, and as an alternative to heparin during renal dialysis.
Epoprostenol is white crystalline powder
Burroughs Wellcome (United Kingdom)
Prostaglandin I2 sodium salt has been used:
- in the preparation of stock solution for platelet washing procedure
- as supplement in platelet-rich-plasma, for platelet preparation
- to prevent platelet activation
Epoprostenol is an Eicosanoid which prevents the formation of platelet plugs and is an effective vasodilator.
Preparation of prostacyclin:
Pig aortas were stripped of adventitia, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, crushed
into a fine powder, resuspended in 0.05 M Tris buffer (pH 7.5) (1:4, w:v) andhomogenised at high speed in a Polytron (KIMENATIC, LUCERNE,
SWITZERLAND) homogenizer. The homogenate was centrifuged for 15 min
and the resulting supernatant centrifuged again for 5 min. The pellet was
discarded, while the pellet obtained after centrifugation of the supernatant
was resuspended in deionized water and lyophilized. An average yield of 150
mg of aortic microsomal powder (51% protein) per 100 g of aortic tissue was
obtained.
Flolan (GlaxoSmithKline);CYCLO-PROSTIN.
Platelet aggregation inhibitor, Antimetastatic
Epoprostenol is a potent agonist at IP prostanoid receptors. Inhibits platelet aggregation and induces vasodilation.
Prostacyclin therapy improves hemodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
