Mesenteric traction during aortic surgery produces facial flushing, reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) with increased heart rate (HR) and cardiac index (CI). Elevated 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) suggests prostacyclin is the mediator. To test this hypothesis, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen (n = 14), or placebo (n = 13) was administered to patients electively scheduled for aortic reconstruction. The hemodynamic measurements and plasma concentrations of prostanoids between groups were compared immediately before (0), and 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 min following mesenteric traction. Following mesenteric traction significant differences (P less than 0.05) were observed between the ibuprofen pretreatment and placebo group over time in SVR, MAP, HR, CI, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). Significant differences between groups at individual times were found in SVR, HR, CI, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and TXB2. In the placebo group flushing was accompanied by reduced SVR and MAP and increased HR and CI. The greatest effect was seen at 10 min and resolved over 30 min. Plasma concentration of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha increased from 159 +/- 103 (mean +/- SEM) pg/ml to a peak value of 3,765 +/- 803 at 10 min. A late increase in TXB2 occurred with a peak value of 1,970 +/- 891 (mean +/- SEM) pg/ml at 30 min. In the ibuprofen pretreated group no significant changes occurred in hemodynamic measurements or concentrations of prostanoids. The inhibition of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and its associated hemodynamic changes in the treatment group, but not in the placebo group, confirms the hypothesis that prostacyclin is the mediator of the mesenteric traction response in abdominal aortic surgery.