[Role of prostaglandins and thromboxanes in cardiovascular physiopathology].

Prostaglandins and thromboxanes originate from lipid metabolism. Their precise role remains obscure despite our better understanding of their potent pharmacological properties reflected in their potent biological activities. Prostaglandins are most probably involved in various cardiovascular diseases, although few satisfactory methods are available to evaluate such a role in vivo. The fact that most antithrombotic drugs interfere with the arachidonic acid cascade provides a rationale to their mode of action and their use. The development of drugs acting more selectively on arachidonic acid metabolism should constitute a therapeutic improvement in cardiovascular diseases.