Minimizing Risk for Aspirin-Associated GI Complications in CVD Patients

Most patients who receive aspirin for cardioprotection are at risk for aspirin-associated GI complications, but only about 25% receive PPIs or misoprostol to reduce this risk.

Aspirin is commonly used for cardioprotection but, even at low doses, can increase the risk for gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Several factors increase the risk for these complications, including age older than 70, anticoagulation therapy, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and history of GI bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, or other substantial comorbidity. In contrast, proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use reduces the risk for these complications. To determine the prevalence of risk factors and PPI use among patients taking aspirin for cardioprotection, investigators reviewed the records of 324 patients admitted to a Canadian hospital with a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

Ninety-four percent of the patients were tak…

Reviewing Author

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)