Congenital Deficiency of Cyclo‐Oxygenase in a Woman with Generalized Atherosclerosis

Abstract

The case of a 52-year-old woman with congenital cyclo-oxygenase deficiency, signs of generalized atherosclerosis and a moderate bleeding tendency is reported. Secondary platelet aggregation was absent. Platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid failed totally while that induced by calcium ionophore was normal. No malondialdehyde formation could be detected in her platelet-rich-plasma. The life-long deficiency of cyclo-oxygenase had not protected her from progressive vascular disease. This case suggests that the chronic intake of large doses of aspirin cannot prevent arterial disorders.

Platelet Cyclo‐Oxygenase Deficiency in a Japanese

“…Pedigree of platelet cyclo-oxygenase defi-absence of platelet aggregation with" arachidonate was demonstrated. The clinical manifestation was mild, as other investigators have described (5)(6)(7)(8), and abnormal haemorrhagic signs of our patient were observed only under surgical treatment. Her family study was negative.…”

“…His platelets failed to aggregate with arachidonic acid but did so in the presence of a labile aggregation stimulating substance (LASS) which was composed of a mixture of prostaglandin endoperoxides and thromboxane A2, a generated by normal platelets ( 2 4 ) . Several cases of platelet cyclo-oxygenase deficiency have been reported (1, [5][6][7][8], but up to 1981 not in Japan.…”