The in vitro effect of amrinone on thromboxane B2 synthesis in human whole blood.

Thromboxane B2 production in vitro in human whole blood was inhibited at pharmacological levels of amrinone. There was no observed effect on prostacyclin production as measured by 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha levels. The biochemical basis for the inhibition of platelet aggregation by amrinone and the inter-relationships between arachidonic acid metabolism, c-AMP and Ca2+ levels are discussed.