Is there a case for PAF antagonists in the treatment of ischemic states?

It is becoming clear that PAF plays an important role in a variety of life-threatening pathologies including shock, asthma, graft rejection and ischemia-induced damage. Pierre Braquet and colleagues analyse recent reports on PAF and ischemia and propose a hypothesis based on the catastrophe theory to explain why PAF antagonists are effective in countering ischemic injury and many other disorders. PAF antagonists, perhaps in combination with other agents, may consequently prove to have extensive therapeutic potential.