An aspirin regimen could lower the risk of dangerous blood clots.
New research suggests aspirin could be a reasonable treatment option for patients who are not candidates for long-term anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin, the University of Sydney reported,
"The study provides clear, consistent evidence that low-dose aspirin can help to prevent new venous blood clots and other cardiovascular events among people who are at risk because they have already suffered a blood clot," said the study's lead author, University of Sydney Professor, John Simes.
Those who took 100 milligrams of aspirin every day had a one-third reduced risk of: thromboembolism; deep vein thrombosis (DVT); pulmonary embolism; and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Aspirin does not work as well as long-term anticoagulant drugs, but could still be used as an alternative.
Most people who suffer a blood clot in a leg vein or an embolism have anticoagulant drug treatment (such as warfarin) for about six month to dissolve the clot and prevent future occurrences. The problem is these type of drugs are expensive and require frequent blood tests and adjustments; they also increase the risk of bleeding in some patients. For some people who cannot cope with these obstacles aspirin could be a viable alternative.
"The study provides evidence that after a first venous thrombosis or embolism, daily aspirin reduces the risk of another event, without causing undue bleeding. This treatment is an alternative to long-term anticoagulation and will be especially useful for patients who do not want the inconvenience of close medical monitoring or the risk of bleeding," Simes said.
"Aspirin will be ideal in the many countries where prolonged anticoagulant treatment is too expensive. A major benefit of this treatment is its cost-effectiveness. Aspirin is cheap, but it will save the treatment costs of the many recurrent clots that are prevented. This could mean a saving of millions of healthcare dollars worldwide," he said.
The findings were published Aug. 25 in the journal Circulation.
