Aspirin Again Bested Placebo for Preventing Preterm Preeclampsia in High-Risk Women

Severe preeclampsia is a notable cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and many studies have indicated that aspirin, compared with placebo, can reduce risk for developing the condition. In an international European study of the effects of low-dose aspirin on risk for preterm (<37 weeks' gestation) preeclampsia, investigators identified 1620 women at high risk for the disease based on a screening algorithm that included medical history, baseline mean arterial blood pressure, uterine-artery pulsatility index, and serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and placental growth factor. Participants were randomized at 11 to 14 weeks' gestation to receive aspirin (150 mg daily) or placebo until 36 weeks.

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