Relevance of eicosanoids for biochemical regulation of cardiac rhythm disturbances.

The balance between the eicosanoids seems to be involved in the biochemical regulation of cardiac rhythm. Under several pathophysiological conditions thromboxane (TX) could be an important factor for the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias. Shifting the balance between the arrhythmogenic TX and the antiarrhythmic prostacyclin (PGI2) in favour of PGI2 by substances influencing the arachidonic acid cascade might by useful for the treatment of arrhythmias. PAF induced toxic arrhythmogenicity seems to be mediated by TX. Therefore the suppression of TX influence can antagonize these arrhythmias, too.