Lack of effect of glucocorticoids upon plasma thromboxane in patients in a state of shock.

Twenty-five patients with sepsis were studied retrospectively to examine the effects of methylprednisolone on plasma thromboxane B2 levels. Although the plasma iTxB2 level was elevated in patients dying from sepsis, the use of glucocorticoids did not reduce plasma iTxB2. Aspirin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, did reduce the plasma iTxB2 value in four patients. It does not appear that glucocorticosteroids significantly affect the conversion of arachidonic acid to thromboxane in septic patients.