Changes of plasma thromboxane level in subarachnoid haemorrhage. A study with 11-dehydro-TXB2 as measuring index.

Changes of plasma thromboxane level in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were studied clinically and experimentally using 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11 DTX) as a measuring index. 11 DTX is a major long-lived metabolite formed from thromboxane (TX) B2, and is said to be a more reliable parameter for detecting TXA2 production in biological systems. In this clinical study, blood was sampled from the cubital vein of 10 SAH patients on the earliest possible day (day 0 or 1), during the vasospasm predilection period (day 7 approximately 11) and in the chronic stage (day 16 approximately 32). Plasma concentrations of 11 DTX and 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha were measured in clinical cases. A canine SAH model was produced by the two haemorrhage methods and blood was sampled from the superior sagittal sinus before and on day 4 of the first cisternal blood injection. 11 DTX, TXB2 and platelet function were examined in each sample. In the clinical studies, plasma 11 DTX levels tended to be higher in the early stage of SAH but decreased thereafter to the normal or lower level. Plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha tended to decrease mildly during the vasospasm predilection period. In the experimental study, neither definite change of plasma 11 DTX level nor neurological deficit could be induced by the mimic SAH, while an increase in platelet aggregability and narrowing of the basilar artery were observed. 11 DTX was inferred to be a more reliable parameter of TX biosynthesis than TXB2.