Severe chest pain (angina attacks) and myocardial infarction has been recorded during 5-Fluorouracil (5-F.U.) tre atment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the "in vitro" activity of 5-F.U. on vascular prostacyclin (PGI ) release and platelet thromboxane A2(TXA2) formation, which play a role in the onset of cardiovascular disorders. Rat aortic rings (about 20 mg wet/weight) were incubated at 30*C for 15 mins in 300 pi tris buffer containing 5-F.U. (250-500-1000 yg). The aortic rings were removed and the supernatant was kept 4 hrs at room temperature and the RIA of 6-keto PGF1α was thereafter performed.In 1 ml rabbit PRP containing 5-F.U. (50-100-500 yg) platelet aggregation was induced by Arachidonic acid (45 μg). Platelets were then removed by centrifugation and RIA of TXB2 was performed on supernatant.At the dose levels of 250, 500, 1000 μg, 5-F.U. yielded a dose-dependent increase (20, 44 and 68 percent, respectively) in the 6-keto PGF2 released by rat aortic rings. Coil versely, the TXB2 production by platelets during aggregation was reduced of 19, 27, 36 percent at 5-F.U. concentrations of 50, 100, 500 μg/ml, respectively. 5-F.U. had no effect on platelet aggregation.Considering the vasodilator and antithrombogenic effects of PGI2 and the vasoconstrictor effect of TXA2 the present results are not in agreement with the already described cardiotoxicity of 5-F.U. The “in vitro” results, however, if confirmed “in vivo”, show a new aspect of the mechanism of 5-F.U. cardiotoxicity.