Pharmacology of thromboxane synthetase inhibitors

Several selective and potent thromboxane synthetase inhibitors have now been described. In this paper I shall summarize their effects on platelet aggregation, endotoxin- and thrombin-induced pulmonary hypertension, the Forssman reaction-induced thrombocytopenia, and the rat tail vein bleeding time. Although any clinical utility of thromboxane synthetase inhibition remains to be demonstrated, it may be useful in conditions where vasoconstriction or vasospasm are involved, particularly where platelet activation is a contributing factor.