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An intramuscular dose schedule of 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin E2-methyl ester (15-(S)-ME PGE2) was evaluated for its application as a midtrimester abortifacient route. 20 healthy gravidas aged 18-42 years and 8-22 menstrual weeks of gestation were aborted in the Clinical Research Unit of the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital. The subjects were given 5 mcg of the PGE2 methyl ester every 4 hours. 85% (17/20) aborted within 48 hours, 65% (13/20) of these within 24 hours. Mean induction-abortion interval was 21 hours. Trials were defined as complete in 55%, incomplete in 30%, and failure in 15%. Shivering, fever, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea were the most common side effects. The transient shivering occurred in 13 (65%) of the subjects within 20 minutes of the first dose. Fever usually started after shivering, and both resolved spontaneously. 2 patients had estimated blood loss exceeding 500 ml, but they were not given transfusions. No clinically significant changes occurred in mean hemotocrit, platelet count, serum creatinine, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, electrolytes, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Mean blood cell and neutrophil counts increased, but neither increase was statistically significant.

An experiment on dogs was conducted in order to study the hemodynamics of both common iliac arteries during complete occlusion of one iliac artery and after its subsequent release. In each of four simulated clinical situations, blood flow in the contralateral vessel decreased significantly after release of the occluded artery. Contralateral pressure changed little. Aortic flow increased upon release of the occlusion, as did both flow and pressure in the previously occluded artery. Mention is made of recent reports concerning borrowing-lending phenomena in the aortoiliac segment, and the name "iliac steal" is proposed to describe the "stealing" of blood flow from one common iliac artery by reopening an occlusion in the contralateral vessel. This phenomenon appears to be accentuated by stenoses in the aorta or in the contralateral vessel or in both sites.