Is Stopping Aspirin for Primary Prevention Risky?

In a post hoc analysis from a large trial, researchers attempt to address this question; results are provocative but not definitive.

Despite recent evidence that aspirin use does not improve outcomes in older patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD; NEJM JW Gen Med May 1 2019 and J Am Coll Cardiol 2019; 74:177), some continue to take it for this purpose. To examine what happens when such patients stop taking aspirin, researchers conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the previously published, randomized ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) trial, which showed no benefit for primary preventive aspirin in older people (age, ≥65) with no known CVD (NEJM JW Gen Med Oct 15 2018 and N Engl J Med 2018; 379:1509). Of the 19,000 ASPREE participants, 1714 had been taking aspirin at least 2 days weekly prior to trial enrollment; the 873 who were assigned to c…

Reviewing Author

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, MHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, MHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Is Stopping Aspirin for Primary Prevention Risky?

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Reviewing Author