1 The effects of the
thromboxane synthetase inhibitor
dazoxiben (
UK 37248) on haemodynamics, blood
gases,
thromboxane and
prostacyclin release and on arrhythmias were examined in anaesthetised greyhounds subject to acute coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. 2 Ten minutes after the administration of
UK 37248 2 mg/kg intravenously, the plasma concentration of
thromboxane B2 in the coronary sinus was significantly reduced whereas the 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha concentration was increased. 3
UK 37248 did not significantly alter the number of arrhythmias or the incidence of
ventricular fibrillation resulting from coronary artery occlusion. There was evidence, however, that in some
drug-treated animals there may have been incomplete inhibition of
thromboxane synthesis during coronary artery occlusion. 4 A further dose of 1 mg/kg
UK 37248 was administered intravenously 5 min before the release of the 40 min coronary artery occlusion. Seven out of eight control dogs died in
ventricular fibrillation following reperfusion whereas only one out of eight
drug-treated animals fibrillated. 5 This latter result suggests that
thromboxane may be an important factor in reperfusion induced
ventricular fibrillation and that
dazoxiben may be a useful
drug in clinically related situations.