indications

Last reviewed 11/2023

  • acutely, should be considered for all patients with suspected myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or a history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, arterial bypass surgery, or angioplasty

  • reduction of risk of thromboembolism

  • regimen is 75-150mg/day is as effective as higher aspirin doses (1)

The Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration meta-analysis (1) showed that aspirin (or another antiplatelet drug) prevents serious vascular events in a wide range of high-risk patients, including people with previous MI, acute MI, prevous stroke or TIA, acute stroke, stable angina, intermittent claudication and - if oral anticoagulants are unsuitable - atrial fibrillation. A commentary on the meta-analysis (2) states that..'the documented effects of antiplatelet agents accross a wide range of patient groups suggests that low dose aspirin should be given routinely to patients at high or intermediate risk for cardiovascular events (above 2% per year).'

Reference:

  1. Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration (2002). Collaborative meta-analysis of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in high risk patients. BMJ, 324, 71-86.
  2. Evidence Based Medicine (2002), 7 (4), 110.

Related pages:

aspirin in myocardial infarction

aspirin in reduction of risk of thromboembolism

prevention of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation

aspirin in atrial fibrillation

aspirin in hypertension

aspirin in angina

aspirin in unstable angina

aspirin and secondary stroke prophylaxis in NRAF

aspirin in acute stroke

aspirin in diabetes mellitus

aspirin in children

aspirin and prevention of cognitive decline in postmenopausal women