[Thromboxane and prostacyclin imbalance in the pathogenesis of early damage after severe burns].

To define the pathogenesis of hemodynamical and hemorrheological changes as well as multiple organ failure (MOF) during early postburn stage, we determined the levels of thromboxane A2(TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) and some other related variables in 57 patients, of which 14 were complicated by MOF. The results showed that TXA2/PGI2 ratio increased markedly within 3 days postburn, and its dynamic change paralleled well with changes of hemodynamical and hemorrheological parameters as well as myocardial enzyme spectrum. Both plasma and visceral levels of TXA2/PGI2 ratio were significantly higher in MOF than those in non-MOF cases. The altered TXA2/PGI2 ratio coincided with the clinical course of MOF patients. These findings suggested that TXA2/PGI2 imbalance may be one of the important factors of early postburn damage.