Aspirin given for up to 2 years after initial anticoagulant treatment reduces the risk of venous thromboembolism recurrence without increasing risk of major bleeding

Implications for practice and research The use of aspirin to prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after a first idiopathic event should not currently become a standard practice. Further studies are required before the use of aspirin following anticoagulation with warfarin for a first episode of venous thromboembolism becomes adopted as routine clinical practice. A direct comparison between low-dose aspirin and standard intensity warfarin is required. Context Venous thromboembolism, which encompasses deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a relatively common disorder with an incidence in western countries of around 1/1000 per annum.1 Events are categorised as either provoked, that is occurring in the context of a known temporary risk factor such as surgery, or unprovoked, that is occurring without an associated known risk factor. There is a general consensus that provoked events have a low risk of recurrence and should be...
Source: Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Editor's choice, Nursing issues, Drugs: cardiovascular system, Stroke, Venous thromboembolism, Pulmonary embolism Source Type: research