[Possible role of prostacyclin in the pathogenesis of cerebral circulatory disorders]

It has been shown that patients with cerebral ischemias are characterized by a reduction in the capacity of prostacyclin to inhibit platelet aggregation and a decrease in the time of its plasma half-life. The role of these changes in the pathogenesis of cerebral circulation disturbances is discussed. It has been established that cases of the most pronounced decrease in the antiaggregation effect of prostacyclin with its minimum stability in the plasma are the least favourable with regard to the prognosis of cerebral infarction. It is suggested that disorders of the function of the prostacyclin system (regulation of the equilibrium between platelets and the vessel wall) may be latent, predetermining a high risk of the development of thrombotic disorders.