LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN IS RECOMMENDED AFTER ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES

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LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN IS RECOMMENDED AFTER ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES.

The role of aspirin in the prevention of complications of coronary artery disease expands further with a new study showing its benefits in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

A prospective, multicenter investigation in Sweden randomized 796 men (age less than 70 years) with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction to receive either low-dose aspirin (75 mg/day) or placebo. Relative to placebo, aspirin reduced the risk for MI or death by 54 percent after 6 months of treatment and 48 percent after 12 months. The greatest impact of treatment was seen during the first 3 months, when aspirin was associated with a 64 percent decrease in risk. Aspirin therapy was also associated with a lower risk of severe angina necessitating coronary angiography (risk ratio at 3 months, 59 percent). There was no difference in compliance rates between the two groups, and only one major bleeding event occurred over 12 months in the aspirin-treated group.

These data support the use of aspirin in patients who have had unstable coronary syndromes, barring contraindications to treatment. However, it should be kept in mind that this study was restricted to men.

— THL

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine December 17, 1991

Citation(s):

Wallentin LC et al. Aspirin (75 mg/day) after an episode of unstable coronary artery disease: long-term effects on the risk for myocardial infarction, occurrence of severe angina and the need for revascularization. J Am Coll Cardiol 1991 Dec 18 1587-1593.