Increased Prostacyclin Biosynthesis in Patients with Severe Atherosclerosis and Platelet Activation

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Abstract
Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator and platelet inhibitor produced by vascular endothelium. Endogenous production of prostacyclin under physiologic conditions is extremely low, far below the capacity of vascular tissue to generate this substance in response to stimulation in vitro. This may reflect a low frequency or intensity of stimulation of prostacyclin production. We postulated that if prostacyclin does act as an endogenous platelet-inhibitory agent, it should be produced in greater amounts in a clinical setting in which platelet–vascular interactions are likely to be increased.