Aspirin for Primary Prevention of CV Disease? New Meta-Analysis Adds to the Evidence

By the Editors

A meta-analysis in JAMA offers clinicians more evidence on the benefits and harms of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Researchers examined 13 studies in which nearly 165,000 adults without CV disease were randomized to receive daily aspirin or no aspirin. The analysis included three recent, highly publicized studies that suggested more harm than benefit from aspirin for primary prevention.

Overall, during a median 5 years' follow-up, aspirin was associated with a lower risk for major CV events and a higher risk for major bleeding. The researchers estimated that 265 patients would need to be treated to prevent one CV event — and 210 to cause one bleeding event.

Dr. Thomas Schwenk of NEJM Journal Watch General Medicine will be taking a closer look at these findings in the coming days. Stay tuned for his coverage!