[Metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid: prostaglandins, thromboxane and leukotrienes]

The powerful and varied biological effects of the metabolites of arachidonic acid suggest that they may play a role in cardiovascular diseases. These substances seem to be involved in a number of pathological situations although there are few satisfactory methods of assessing their role in vivo. At present, it is very difficult to elaborate experiments and/or tests to analyse the production of these autacoids in protocols of clinical investigation reflecting a pharmacological or pathological condition. The development of new methods of study should provide information about the role of these metabolites in the development of cardiovascular diseases.