The possibility of clinical application of the thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor, ozagrel, for the treatment and prevention of preeclampsia: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to investigate whether the TXA2 synthase inhibitor, ozagrel, was effective in the treatment and prevention of pre-eclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

Ozagrel was administrated therapeutically to 4 severely pre-eclamptic women, and prophylactically to 5 pregnant women with histories of severe preeclampsia and complications.

RESULTS

The therapeutic administration (TA) of ozagrel improved hypertension and proteinuria. Two patients delivered appropriate-for-date (AFD) infants, whereas the other 2 patients delivered light-for-date (LFD) infants. Mean plasma concentrations of TXB2 (plasma TXB2) decreased, whereas plasma 6-keto PGF1 alpha were almost unchanged. The prophylactic administration (PA) of ozagrel prevented the occurrence of preeclampsia in 3 of the 5 patients. All delivered AFD infants. The duration of pregnancy was prolonged more than that of previous pregnancies in all patients. Plasma TXB2 decreased, whereas plasma 6-keto PGF1 alpha increased.

CONCLUSIONS

PA prevented preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation, whereas TA improved only maternal symptoms. These results might justify a large prospective study to determine whether ozagrel is an effective prophylactic.